The Scalphunters
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Movie Reviews of The Scalphunters
Movie Review: A Little Too Much Over the Top
Summary: 3 Stars
High-spirited, yet never actually funny bromantic comedy Western feels a little more dated than it's '68 vintage. Burt grins up a storm with a blustering, ironic take on the western hero, but fourth-billed Ossie steals the show with his sensational performance of a remarkably interesting character. Unfortunately, things devolve into one of those "amusing" climaxes where the heroes bare-knuckle it out with each other for a protracted fight scene. Things aren't helped either by the fact that the too entertaining villain (Telly Savales) is as charming as the female lead (Shelly Winters) is grating. There's a curiously indifferent Elmer Bernstein score.Movie Review: The Scalp Hunters
Summary: 3 Stars
While this is lightly amusing as an early example of a "Buddy Film" it seems somewhat confused between a comedy and a serious drama/action film. It is worth a watch but follow up viewings are unlikely.Movie Review: dry scalp(hunters)
Summary: 2 Stars
While not as identified with the western movies as John Wayne or Clint Eastwood, Burt Lancaster made many forays into the western genre - unfortunately, many of these films were subpar movies. 'THE SCALPHUNTERS' certainly falls into this category. Lancaster plays 'Joe Bass' a trapper who spends the entire film trying to regain the furs that have been stolen from him -- first, by Indians (very original) and second, by a group of bandits known as scalphunters. The way they are portrayed makes them better suited for an episode of 'Wagon Train' or 'The Rifleman' than as villainous renegades.
Early on Lancaster ecounters Joseph Lee, a cultured runaway slave played by the late Ossie Davis - who is easily the best thing about this very mediocre film. The two regularly engage in fistacuffs, "insightful" discussions on race, and dialogue which is unfortunately not as witty as the screenwriter thinks. It's too bad. Lancaster and Davis are fine actors and their interplay had potential. The material, on the other hand, lacked potential.
The humor - and I use this term very loosely - is incredibly flat. [Producer's Memo: Hey, let's have Telly Savalas parade around in longjohns. Now that should guarantee a few laughs.] Add the usual dose of whining that a Shelley Winters (how the hell did she win 2 oscars in her career???)character contributes to the film and the last 40 minutes become particularly unwatchable.
Still, fans of westerns might enjoy this film. Burt Lancaster seems to be having plenty of fun. Telly Savalas makes a worthy villain (even if he does run around in his less than menacing longjohns for much of the film - GIGGLE, GIGGLE) and the action scenes are quite well done. But the social commentary is dated and preachy. I know, Sydney Pollack being preachy? Imagine that. Most would do well to check out a true overlooked classic western starring Lancaster -- 'THE PROFESSIONALS.' A rare gem amid much of the rubbish that typified Lancaster's western flicks (sorry folks, but VALDEZ IS COMING, HALLELUJAH TRAIL, LAWMAN and APACHE are dreck!)