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A couple of niggles to an otherwise wonderful western

posted 11 years ago by pullgees
4 replies | jump to latest

Pecks forehead wound almost healed five minutes later in the Canyon. This was so daft I do not understand how Wyler let that go.
The road barriers and the Blanco Canyon battle. Impossible to miss the first barrier and not realize it's a trap. If they did see it yet paid no heed to it as they know they are on a suicide mission then so be it. Yet Terrill's whole company going to their deaths? Hmm...I feel this a bit unbelievable and puts a weak spot in this great film. I thought they wanted to rid the country of Hanasseys not let Hannesseys rid them. Conversely, if they thought they stood a chance against the Hanasseys then why ride into an obvious trap?

[–] sul-4 11 years ago

I think Terrill was driven to folly because he'd been exposed by McKay at Blanco's entrance. Terrill was willing to shoot McKay down.

Leach had scouted, told him it was a trap, it was crawling with Hannasseys. I would surmise that had McKay and Ramon not arrived and ridden in alone (to no apparent gunfire), they would have adopted more careful tactics. So this is no oversight.

Terrill's insanity and hatred was exposed for all to see, Leach rebelled on him, his men followed Leach now, he simply couldn't back down now. How would he come up with a plan to properly invade the canyon when nobody was willing to go with him in the first place?

In the canyon, Rufus painted himself into a similar corner, putting his son into a position where he ended up having to shoot him.

Both the old men were now faced with the consequences of their hatred and pride,
and could now see how it injured those close to them.

The head wound could go into the 'continuity problems' list, but the folly of getting caught in the canyon was well crafted, and the brilliance of the direction is the combination of the music and seeing the rest of the Terrill cowboys galloping up behind, you get caught up in it, find yourself rooting for
the old bastard where a minute before you see what a s*** he is. Heston sold that scene, the frustration and later grudging admiration.

Had Rufus not killed Buck, i think there would have been a bloodbath. No way would Henry have called out Rufus for a facedown.

The ending scene was brilliant, I really liked that there was no ending dialogue, no 'concluding one liner'. It was well understood by all that the two old men got what they deserved.

The look between Leach and McKay was interesting, McKay couldn't have known
that Leach had learned his lesson, that he'd tried to stop Terrill, and had even refused to follow. It's hard for me to interpret the meaning of it, was it an "I told you so", or "WTF, didn't you learn your effing lesson yet"?

[–] vinidici 11 years ago

McKay may not have been aware of the particulars regarding Leach's newfound enlightenment but could no doubt ascertain by the way he looked into McKay's eyes that he (Leach) was now a changed and wiser man.

Okay folks, show's over, nothing to see here!

[–] aciolino 10 years ago

What, in God's name, is a "niggle"?

[–] ScopeWatcher 10 years ago

To aciolino, "niggle" means a trifle; a petty matter. These message boards are overrun with them.

I salute you, sul-4, for your great reply to the Original Poster with such excellent observations. (It's always a pleasure to read articulate discussion of ANY of my favorite movies!)

Most great films deserve a more appreciative audience than they get.