Lawman (1971)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Michael Winner

Writer:

Gerald Wilson (written by)

Release Date:

4 August 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

A lawman from Bannock arrives in Sabbath to arrest all the cattlemen whose wild celebration the year before resulted in the accidental death of an old man.

Plot Keywords:

Reputation | Rancher | Land Baron | Duty | Marshal

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox
Robert Ryan	...	Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan
Lee J. Cobb	...	Vincent Bronson
Robert Duvall	...	Vernon Adams
Sheree North	...	Laura Shelby
Albert Salmi	...	Harvey Stenbaugh
Richard Jordan	...	Crowe Wheelwright
John McGiver	...	Sabbath Mayor Sam Bolden
Ralph Waite	...	Jack Dekker
John Beck	...	Jason Bronson
William Watson	...	Choctaw Lee (as William C. Watson)
Walter Brooke	...	Luther Harris
Robert Emhardt	...	Hersham
Charles Tyner	...	Minister
J.D. Cannon	...	Hurd Price

MPAA:

Rated R for violent content.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:R (2007 re-rating) | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | UK:15 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

Scimitar Films

Trivia:

In 1971, United Artists distributed this film on a double bill with The Organization (1971) starring Sidney Poitier.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the opening scene when Bronson's rowdies tear up the town of Bannock, in two views of the local hotel, the town's name is spelled Bannock. Later, when Sheriff Maddox checks into the hotel in Sabbath, he signs in as a resident of Bannach.

Quotes:

Luther Harris: [referring to Maddox] Who's he, some bounty hunter or something?
Lucas: Don't make an enemy of him, storekeeper. Step wide of him.

A True Classic

This is perhaps the best of those enigmatic Michael Winner productions that focus the plot on the emotions and personalities of the protagonists of the film. I love Michael Winner productions. They are never shot in a studio; and his realism is virtually unapproachable by any other director of the time.

Lawman is a story of pride,arrogance and people fixed into paths of life which they cannot change. Burt Lancaster is sterling representing "The Law"; a force that cannot be swayed. He desires, or thinks he desires, to be something else, but he is indeed the law, and cannot escape his fate. The characters of the town, the men he comes to arrest for a killing, all follow their own ordained paths. Because not one of them can, or will, bend or accept the events that are occurring, they all converge on the final climax that is one of the greatest statements of human futility that I have ever seen in a film. The climax of this story is fantastic, and almost totally unexpected. No one should spoil it for you, even a little.

There are a number of truly great character actors in this film, and each gives a flawless performance. In True Michael Winner form, the action is stunning and the violence is portrayed with all the realism that shows how awful and devastating it can be. This is a gritty, but deep story that holds one in its grasp without pause. I highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, Lawman is a rare film; almost never broadcast. If you are fortunate enough to find a copy for rent,or purchase, do so with all haste. It's a Winner!