The Bravados
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Movie Reviews of The Bravados
Movie Review: A big story with a big impact
Summary: 3 Stars
There's going to be a hanging in Rio Arriba, and Jim Douglass (Gregory Peck) has ridden a hundred miles to see it. You see, the four men - Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva and Lee van Cleef - about to be hanged committed a great crime that changed Douglass's life forever, and he's there to see justice carried out. When the condemned men escape, Douglass makes it his personal mission to deliver justice to the bad guys.
I love revenge movies, and the premise of Henry King's THE BRAVADOS holds great promise. One avenging angel - Gregory Peck - versus four scurvy killers. The best revenge movies go to the chase as soon as possible, and reveal character and motivation through the chase. Unfortunately THE BRAVADOS takes forever to kick into gear. The movie spends a good half hour in Rio Arriba, an eternity in movie time, introducing characters and establishing motives. Some of the characters don't really belong in the movie, either. It's in Rio Arriba that we meet Josefa Velarde (Joan Collins), a beautiful young Elizabeth Taylor type who met, loved and declined Douglass's proposals a half-decade or so ago. Collins wasn't a terrific actress, and some of her high emotion scenes in this one are painfully amateurish. Even a talented actress wouldn't redeem the role, though. Every time Josefa appears the movie grinds to a halt. THE BRAVADOS prove the rule that women and action movies don't mix.
On the trailer Gregory Peck tells us that THE BRAVADOS is `a big story with a big impact.' I'd call it a potentially big story that never gets on track. We learn a big surprise or two near the end, ones that should have taken our breath away. Instead they kind of limp over the line, somewhat naked in their improbability. Peck proves capable of doing justice to a revenge-ridden protagonist. It would have been fascinating, and probably would have resulted in a much better movie, if he could have spent more time exploring the dark side of his character.
The double sided dvd contains both full screen and widescreen versions of the movie. I watched the widescreen version, which was in very good condition. Extras include a trailer for the movie and a couple of very brief - under a minute per - period newsreels.
Movie Review: A dour Western with a downbeat ending...
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Bravados" exposed a tragic violation of justice, and a confession of an error from a severe threatening widower (Gregory Peck) entirely blind in chasing four killers who, he believes, raped and murdered his wife... Peck is seen at one time the ruthless judge, jury and executioner...
The entertaining thing about the film is probably the manhunt of the accused men who escape from jail taking with them a female hostage Kathleen Gallant...
Gregory Peck's character as the blind seeker of justice is fit to be despised... With a downbeat climax this sour revenge Western remembered me the persistent Captain Ahab with his determination to finish with the killer whale, performed also by Peck...
Peck has continued to refine the identity of the avenging hero keeping his character alive through the good intervention of his heroic persona...
The four outlaws create a false impression in pretending indifference to misfortune...
"The Bravados" is a dour Western with a downbeat ending... The production is good, but the entertainment uneasy...
Movie Review: Amazon is becoming INCREASINGLY DISHONEST re DVDs
Summary: 3 Stars
It is impossible to tell if "The Bravados" is being issued in Widescreen or (yecch) Full/Standard screen format. Amazon normally now makes it a point to NOT SAY what the screen format is if it is a Full Screen version. So I am assuming that's what this one is. This is an increasing use of dishonesty by Amazon rather than telling buyers probably the most key piece of information about a DVD. A couple years ago, the aspect ratio was usually clearly stated.
I give The Bravados 3 stars unless it's in widescreen, then 4 stars. Numerous interesting actors, some in their first screen appearances: Stephen Boyd, Henry Silva, etc.
Movie Review: Western that Explores a Moral Issue
Summary: 3 Stars
A good story with a surprise twist at the end. A must for any Gregory Peck fan; some of the other acting is a little uneven. The moral issue of playing both judge and jury as not really satisfactorily resolved, but a decent attempt is made. Overall a good story.