Nevada Smith (1966)

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Harold Robbins (novel)
John Michael Hayes (story)

Release Date:

10 June 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

Some called him savage- and some called him saint... some felt his hate- and one found his love... and three had to die...

Plot:

A naive half-Indian, half-white man evolves into a hardened killer as he tracks down his parents' murderers.

Plot Keywords:

Nevada | Prison | Escape | Gold Shipment | Canned Peaches

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Steve McQueen	...	Nevada Smith / Max Sand / Fitch
Karl Malden	...	Tom Fitch
Brian Keith	...	Jonas Cord
Arthur Kennedy	...	Bill Bowdre
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Pilar
Raf Vallone	...	Father Zaccardi
Janet Margolin	...	Neesa
Pat Hingle	...	Big Foot (work camp trustee)
Howard Da Silva	...	Warden of work camp
Martin Landau	...	Jesse Coe
Paul Fix	...	Sheriff Bonnell
Gene Evans	...	Sam Sand
Josephine Hutchinson	...	Mrs. Elvira McCandles
John Doucette	...	Uncle Ben McCandles
Val Avery	...	Buck Mason (bartender)

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1966) | UK:15 (1988) | UK:A (1966) (cut) | USA:Approved (Certificate #21075) | USA:Not Rated (DVD) | France:-16 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Solar Productions

Trivia:

The character Nevada Smith was supposed to be sixteen. He is played by 35-year-old Steve McQueen.

Goofs:

Continuity: After waking up on the pool table Smith orders a drink at the bar. When the bartender pours the drink Smith puts his hand on the glass. In next shot Smith reaches to pick up the glass.

Quotes:

Nevada Smith: Jesse!
Jesse Coe: [Jesse pretends he doesn't hear and keeps dealing cards] Any cards, boys?
Nevada Smith: You, dealing cards.
Jesse Coe: Jesse who?
Nevada Smith: Jesse Coward! Jesse Murderer! Woman-killer!
Jesse Coe: Now wait a minute, my name is Jack Langley.
Nevada Smith: When you killed my mother and father, it was Jesse.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool (2005) (TV)

A beautiful story about brutal revenge

This movie stands the test of time as a western classic examining universal themes, up there with more touted flicks like Shane, and the Searchers. The brutal murder of his parents begins the metamorphosis of Steve McQueen's character, from an innocent boy into an instrument of revenge. His hatred grows more resolute, even as several people are kind to him along the way, and he falls in love, twice. An example of the lengths he goes to is getting himself thrown into prison to gain access to one of his victims. Despite the humanity he encounters on his journey to catch the killers, will he allow hatred to consume his life? Though coming from different places, McQueen, and Carl Malden, as the leader of the gang he is after, both give vintage powerful performances. A young Suzanne Pleshette is gorgeous. Brian Keith is simply great. A thinking man's Kill Bill.