Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

February 10, 2017
7.0
There's things a man has to know and has to do, and it's best that he does them alone. Backlash (1956) is directed by John Sturges and adapted by Borden Chase from the novel written by Frank Gruber. It stars Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, John McIntire & William Campbell. It's shot in Technicolor by Irving Glassberg on location in Tuscon, Arizona. 1870 Arizona, and Jim Slater (Widmark) is searching for the truth about what happened to his father during the Apache ambush at Gila Valley. This brings him into contact with strong willed Karyl Orton (Reed), who courtesy of her missing husband also has an interest in the events of that raid. Missing family members and missing gold, the can is now open and worms are pouring out every where. It's about the writing and the characters here. From the off it should be known that this is no high octane actioner. We are dealing in a mystery, with what amounts to a detective story played out in a Western theme. It's a touch unusual but never less than interesting as Chases' unconventional script gives birth to a myriad of characters, some complex, others just stock genre story fleshers. There's some clichés spliced within the piece, but they are off set by some nice twists in the story. And while this is no Anthony Mann/Borden Chase psychologically tinted production, it doesn't cop out with its big decisions. Glassberg's cinematography is first class, really vibrant and bursting out from the screen as they nicely film it on location of where the story is set. The cast is real strong. Widmark is excellent as the tough as nails hero and Reed looks stunning whilst neatly essaying a prickly femme fatale type. McIntire gives another classy supporting turn and Campbell is enjoyably OTT as hothead gunslinger Johnny Cool. The principals have all done far better work in the genre, but this is a nice change of pace for all of them. It's unlikely to raise the pulses of the action seeking fan, but for those of a more literary persuasion this should hit the spot. 7/10

Recommendation Movies

6.4
Western
View
6.4
Two Rode Together
Two Rode Together1961
7.8
Thriller
View
7.8
Fail Safe
Fail Safe1964
6.5
Horror
View
6.5
Frankenstein Created Woman
Frankenstein Created Woman1967
6.3
Western
View
6.3
Broken Lance
Broken Lance1954
6.5
Comedy
View
6.5
Man spricht deutsh
Man spricht deutsh1988
7.7
Documentary
View
7.7
Wolfman's Got Nards
Wolfman's Got Nards2018
6
Drama
View
6
Sway
Sway2006
4.1
Western
View
4.1
Hard Ground
Hard Ground2003
7.7
Western
View
7.7
The Searchers
The Searchers1956
6.3
Horror
View
6.3
Crawl
Crawl2019
6.5
Horror
View
6.5
Saw II
Saw II2005
6.8
Horror
View
6.8
It Chapter Two
It Chapter Two2019
7.7
Animation
View
7.7
South Park: Joining the Panderverse
South Park: Joining the Panderverse2023
8
Drama
View
8
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer2023
8.1
Crime
View
8.1
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs1992
7.6
Drama
View
7.6
In a Lonely Place
In a Lonely Place1950
7.7
Drama
View
7.7
Rain Man
Rain Man1988
7.3
Drama
View
7.3
Death in Venice
Death in Venice1971
8
Mystery
View
8
The Sixth Sense
The Sixth Sense1999
8.1
Comedy
View
8.1
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita1960
© 2024 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt