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Another late-career, very safe Western from John Wayne, Chisum has a few advantages mostly due to its location setting and cinematography. Director Andrew MacLaglin narrates a very good commentary to accompany the film and it takes you through the set construction in Mexico and the fact that none of the film was shot in a studio. I found this to be the aspect of this film that make it stand out from many of John Wayne's later Western's, where the studio set work was just not convincing of the outdoors. This film has a very strange opening, with a bizzare narrative song, partly "sung" by Robert Conrad, that overlays the history of the title character arriving in New Mexico. It also features a song sung by a young Merle Haggard, which is played in two halfs, interrupted by some dialogue. Anyway, it's better than a lot of films made today, and is free of bad language if kids want to watch.Read full review
Disc is not scratched up - DVD plays like it should, adding it to mt John Wayne collection, Thanks!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
While this is somewhat of a real event that happened in history, I believe there was certain liberties taken with the facts. While it really is a good movie, it is not one of my favorites. As a big John Wayne fan I had to have this movie. John Wayne as always comes in as big as life in this movie. I've never seen a John Wayne movie I didn't like.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
UPDATE 02/10: I recently seen an interview Ron Howard did on John Wayne. Though most folks who are not Duke fans say the man was not an actor, Ron Howard stated that the reason John was so good, is he rehearsed until he got a scene perfect. He further stated that John taught him what a good actor really was and, he compared him to Jimmy Stewart, Betty Davis and Cary Grant among other superstar he has worked with. Stated that John as with all actors had a bag of tools. Only the great ones knew what tool to use in a particular situation. As he smiled and said "you don't make almost 200 pictures over a 40 year period without being great"! I have a rather nice John Wayne movie collection as wanted to add to it so, with no particular movie in mind, I searched John Wayne in the DVD section. I had never seen "Chisum", it was one of the most inexpensive of the later Duke movies so, I thought I would check it out. Who in the hell wrote the movie description for this movie on eBay? it says: "A tough cattle baron fights con artists, corrupt officials--even Billy the Kid--in order to keep his ranch. Wayne's been here before, as have we. For Duke fans only." HUH???? Chisum is not just good, it is GREAT! Yep, it maybe the same thing we Duke fans have seen over and over. Classic John Wayne-he was in the twilight of his career, he had made 175+ films at this point in time. Tough, hot headed, cowboy, ranch owner, gun carrying, drinking, fighting, no bull, no nonsense, character we all love. Oh by, the way he NEVER fights "Billy The Kid" to keep his ranch. Billy worked for a different ranch owner, that Chisum was the best of friends with. He admired Billy and even allowed him to recuperated in his home after he had been shot(and NO, not by Pat Garret. At least not this time, LOL)This movie simplifies why we duke fans continue to buy his movies! It is EXACTLY what we want to see! I will not write a synopsis for the film, you will have to see it for yourself. The film was released in 1970(I think) by John Wayne's own BATJAC Productions. It co stars another 100+ film cowboy actor Ben Johnson. F-Troop fame Forrest Tucker, many other great actors including Bruce Cabot and Lynda Day. This film is based on a true story of an actual cattle baron - John Chisum and relives the start/part of the Lincoln County War, New Mexico in 1878. This film is a little different from other Duke cowboy films of the past, Chisum does not have a love interest! Though he speaks of "a girl in Texas" that watchers will know was the love of his life. There is no lover to come in on the noon stage or train, boss him around or, throw a monkey wrench in his plans. His trusted ranch hands keep him above the law...almost, LOL. I WOULD RECOMMEND this film to duke fans. A MUST for your collection, 100% John Wayne! I rated the film 5 stars, it deserves a 4,75 because of the cheaply made cardboard snap case, instead of plastic jewel case that the DVD came in. The version I have has an interactive menu and the following extras: original movie trailer, a great "Making Of" documentary "John Wayne and Chisum" and feature length commentary by director Andrew V. McLaglen. BUY THIS ONE, I don't think the true Duke fans would ever be disappointed. Even if the story line is see through and it is the same thing you have seen before. As stated before "Chisum"...it is Exactly why John Wayne fans continue to buy his movies, it IS what we want to see!!!Read full review
Chisum is our favorite of all the John Wayne movies. Just look up the cast of characters and you will see why this movie is the top of the top - John Wayne is ALWAYS good but this one, to me, stands out from them all. And that's saying a lot.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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