Catlow (1971)

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Okay western comedy is kept afloat mostly by it's two leads, Yul Brynner and Richard Crenna. Brynner plays Callow, a fast talking cowboy conman, who steals cattle from a wealthy rancher. Civil War buddy and now sheriff, Crenna, goes after Brynner, as does a vicious killer hired by the aggrieved rancher. The film gets a lot of milage from Leonard Nimoy playing the hired gun. Seeing Mr. Spock in a villainous and highly animated role is a whole lot of fun, even if his part is a smaller one. And Nimoy isn't the only one playing against type. The usually stoic Brynner is equally amusing to watch all goofy and smiling (at one point he even gets to mug after getting kicked in the groin). On the downside, the comedy as scripted isn't all that funny, though the cast does the most with what they have. Despite that, the film is fast paced, never boring, and I consider myself entertained. Overall, this is far from a western classic, but it's a must-see for Brynner and Nimoy fans, and well worth checking out for western fans.

Catlow is directed by Sam Wanamaker and adapted to screenplay from the Louis L'Amour novel by Scott Finch and J.J. Griffith. It stars Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna, Leonard Nimoy and Daliah Lavi. Filmed in Metrocolor/Panavision, photography is by Ted Scaife and music by Roy Budd.One time buddies in the Civil War, Catlow (Brynner) and Cowan (Crenna), are now on opposite sides of the law. Let the shenanigans begin!Catlow is one of those Oaters that is - in spite of its ordinariness - so harmless to the point it's near impossible to dislike with genuine displeasure. Essentially it finds Brynner and Crenna as pals constantly playing cat and mouse with each other, all while they are entangled in danger (courtesy of Mexican soldiers, Indians and Nimoy's vengeful gunman) and affairs of the heart (Lavi and the beautiful Jo Ann Pflug).It's all very formulaic, and directed as such, but there's still a lot going for it. Everybody seems to be having a good time of things, with some hamming it up on purpose - obviously with a tongue in cheek nod to Spaghetti Westerns - others relishing chances to exude ebullience (Lavi) and gruff meanness (Nimoy). There's some truly funny moments, with witty dialogue to match, and the action scenes are as solid as the rock formations that boom out of the Almeria locations.Budd's musical score is a bit hit and miss, often sounding like it belongs in an episode of Alias Smith and Jones as opposed to a full feature length film, while there's a lack of an edge to make the finale be anything other than run of the mill. Tis fun though! Pic looks lovely, with TCM HD channel showing a print that extols the virtues of having a top cinematographer on lens duties. Harmless and enjoyable enough, even if ultimately it's forgettable once over. 6/10

The film talks about a rustler named Catlow (Yul Brynner) and his bandit underlings (Jeff Corey , Robert Logan , John Clark , Michael Delano) who are pursued by a sheriff (Richard Crenna) and a bounty hunter gunslinger (Leonard Nimoy ) with the aim to steal the Mexican gold formerly robbed to Confederacy during the American civil war (1861-1865) . As Catlow attempts to avoid interference as he journeys to pull off a $2-million gold robbery , but everyone wants him dead and buried . The Mexican cavalry wanted him murdered . The Apache nation wanted him massacred . Texas Rangers wanted him mangled and his only hope was a marshal who wanted him hanged . Meanwhile , he'll confront Apaches , Mexican Army and some cutthroats.In the picture there's western action , shootouts , comedy , tongue-in-cheek and a little bit of moderated violence . The movie has the comic observations of the Western parody genre originated in the late decade 60s by Burt Kennedy and Andrew McLagen and with references to Spaghetti Western . Based on a Louis L'Amour's novel is basically a humorist Western . The motion picture was well filmed on location in Almeria (Spain) , where during the 6os and early the 7os were shot several Spaghetti/Paella Western . Thus , there appears usual Italian/Spanish Western secondary actors as Angel del Pozo , Julian Mateos , Jose Nieto, Rafael Albaicín , Tito Garcia , Dan Van Husen and Victor Israel , among others . Yul Brynner plays perfectly as outlaw Catlow , interpretation similar to ¨Indio Black¨ (by Frank Kramer) who'll play later . Richard Crenna as the friend and enemy sheriff is very fine . Leonard Nimoy as the tough and cruel gunfighter is splendid , this film gave him a chance to break away from his role as Spock on Star Trek, he mentioned that the time he made the film was one of the happiest of his life , even though his part was rather brief . Excellent and lively musical score by Roy Budd and colorful cinematography by magnificent cameraman Edward Scaife . The movie was regularly directed by Sam Wanamaker who replaced Peter R. Hunt . The film will appeal to humor-western enthusiasts and Yul Brynner fans . Rating : Mediocre but entertaining .

Yes, you read that right - Nimoy does a nude scene! (Though it might be a body double.) If you can get past that, you find a really entertaining western. Yul Brynner is great - it's nice to see him have a role that gives him a chance to do some comedy. Kudos to the rest of the cast as well, though Nimoy is mostly wasted in a role that just has him pursuing Brynner (and not much else.) Fast-paced, plenty of smiles and laughs (though a number of serious scenes that work as well), and plenty of action - what more do you want?