The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

William A. Fraker

Writers:

Ivan Goff (screenplay) and
Ben Roberts (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 August 1981 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Western

Tagline:

The untold story of the man behind the mask, and the legend behind the man.

Plot:

The sole surviving Texas Ranger of an ambush arranged by Butch Cavandish returns to fight back as a masked hero.

Plot Keywords:

Lone Ranger | Young Versions Of Characters | Based On Comic | Ulysses Simpson Grant | Box Office Flop

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Klinton Spilsbury	...	The Lone Ranger / John Reid
Michael Horse	...	Tonto
Christopher Lloyd	...	Maj. Bartholomew 'Butch' Cavendish
Matt Clark	...	Sheriff Wiatt
Juanin Clay	...	Amy Striker (Lucas' niece / editor of Del Rio Dispatch after his death)
Jason Robards	...	President Ulysses S. Grant
John Bennett Perry	...	Capt. Dan Reid (Texas Ranger / John's older brother)
David Hayward	...	Collins
John Hart	...	Lucas Striker (editor of Del Rio Dispatch)
Richard Farnsworth	...	Wild Bill Hickok
Lincoln Tate	...	Gen.George A. Custer
Ted Flicker	...	Buffalo Bill Cody
Marc Gilpin	...	Young John Reid
Patrick Montoya	...	Young Tonto
David Bennett	...	Gen. Aurelio Rodriguez

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:G | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Abiquiu, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

This movie was such a huge box-office bomb that American investors had to salvage Lew Grade's ITC by purchasing its remaining stock and then reorganizing the company as part of the newly-formed Tri-Star Pictures.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the scene where the Lone Ranger is breaking Silver to ride, the horse shown changes back and forth from having blue eyes to brown eyes. It also changes from wearing a bridle with a bit to a rodeo type bronc halter.

Quotes:

[Having just thanked the Lone Ranger for saving his life, Grant now turns to Tonto]
President Ulysses S. Grant: And how can I thank you?
Tonto: You can thank me by honoring your treaties with my people.
President Ulysses S. Grant: We will try.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Stunts of 'Indiana Jones' (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Man in the Mask

One of my favorites

"The Legend of the Lone Ranger" will always be one of my favorite movies. I am really tired of people bashing this movie. I will take "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" over a lot of the pretentious and overrated snoozers that have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards year after year. The movie is fast paced, entertaining and a great re-telling of the Lone Ranger story. Great cinematography! A wonderful and scenic film to look at. Klinton Spilsbury takes a lot of unwarranted criticism for his performance but I see nothing wrong with it considering his entire performance was dubbed by the less than stellar James Keach. Blaming Spilsbury for the acting makes no sense since Keach seems to phone his performance in. All in all, a fun movie deserving of a little more respect.