Chisum (1970)

It's been more than a year and a half since my last western, and that was a peculiar anthology. A John Wayne title promises something more traditional. This one isn't treated as much of a classic, but I got curious when YouTube suggested it.

Only after watching did I know about its basis in the Lincoln County War in 1878 New Mexico. John Chisum (Wayne) has had many rustlers coming after his cows and horses. He's also annoyed at Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) for buying up as much land as possible and attempting a high-price monopoly on general stores and banks. Chisum's friend Henry Tunstall (Patric Knowles) and conscientious attorney Alex McSween (Andrew Prine) give him a hand at countering these moves, but the bribed Sheriff Brady (Bruce Cabot) makes it hard to get justice by legal means. Throw in Billy "The Kid" Bonney (Geoffrey Deuel), Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett), and bounty hunter Dan Nodeen (Christopher George), and the town becomes a real powder keg.

For 1970, this western is surprisingly old-fashioned. I had to think hard about how it might have looked out of place in 1950. It has a G rating by contemporary criteria, tho it allows a few minor swears and shows a man and woman in a state of undress in a saloon bedroom, for no important reason. Chisum periodically opposes bigotry against Indians or Hispanics, but that too has little bearing on the plot.

Oddly enough, I'd seen Billy the Kid before only in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Among Chisum characters, he might just be the highlight. He's not made to seem larger than life, just human and charming as serial killers go. No wonder people have mixed reactions to his presence, not least when he courts Chisum's niece, Sallie (Pamela McMyler).

The other aspect I particularly like is the action, and not just at the grand finale. A lot of stunt doubles had to fall off horses and other high points in spectacular fashion. I never considered weaponizing a cattle stampede. Some men we learn to care about die. The music helps a bit.

Chisum is hardly groundbreaking. But for viewers who have been missing a bygone style and have 111 minutes to spare, it's a fair choice.