Monday, April 13, 2009

Budd Boetticher's Randy Scott Westerns

This series is out on DVD, with introductions by Clint Eastwood, motormouth Quentin Tarentino, and Taylor Hackford, who had personally known Boetticher before his death. It also contains a documentary on Boetticher who was apparently somewhat of a hell raiser particularly with women.  


 










Comanche Station-The final western in the series is Boetticher and Scott's version of John Ford's, The Searchers. This was a good film made as a "B" western in about 2 weeks with lots of location filming. This has excellent photography in some good scenic locations without all of the pretentious compositions that Ford stuck into The Searchers.  Randolph Scott actually looks like a cowboy, and doesn't overdo it with the strong silent type routine.

   










Decision at Sundown-Probably the most conventional of the series, this film appeared to be filmed mainly on a studio western set. Scott is good in this one, but the story is disappointing and the lack of location filming makes the film look kind of cheap. Doesn't appear that Boetticher and Scott had much interest in this one.
 
   






The Tall T coming soon


Seven Men From Now - Scott is on a mission of revenge in this one.  The film has all of the best virtues of this series.  A tight script for Burt Kennedy, good Lone Pine California locations and it doesn't push it running only 78 minutes.  A good cast supporting Scott, Lee Marvin, Stuart Whitman, Gail Russell and John Beradino.

 
Buchanan Rides Alone-Good looking film with exceptional photography, a somewhat complicated story about a western border town under the control of one family. Boetticher stages an exciting shootout at the end of the film. The film reminds me of "Yojimbo" with all of the double dealing involved. Well made really good film.

 




   



Ride Lonesome-Scott is the avenger in this one. This one is pretty grim and serious for the most part. Not a lot of action for a western, but the story and the actors move the film along to a strong climax. Definitely another high point for the series.

 

No comments: