Movies : Western : DVD Rip : English
By gold-and-rod western standards this is no Treasure of the Sierra Madre by a long shot, but it's a darned good imitation-heir apparent, expertly written and colorfully enacted by a polished cast headed by Clint Walker and Roger Moore.
A strong screenplay is the firm foundation upon which the picture remains erect and engrossing until its disappointingly shaky conclusion. Working with a novel by Steve Frazee, the writers have penned some frisky dialog and constructed several gripping situations. Walker and Moore are cast as trapping partners who strike it rich and are chased persistently over the sprawling desert and through craggy hill country by several marauding parties who have one thing in common - total disdain for the golden rule.
Unlike Treasure, this film lays a golden egg through the unconvincing nature and transparent spirit of the climactic laughing jag, for the gold did not corrupt these heroes as it did the gentlemen of Sierra Madre.
Utilizing his customary heroically-reserved approach Walker does well by the role of anchor man. Moore, as his faithful but emotionally-unsettled Irish mate, gives a most colorfully compelling screen characterization.
Before riding off into a black and white sunset with his laconic partner from the television sagebrush, Clint Walker, Mr. Moore pauses to observe that money never really brings happiness. Viewers moodily pondering today's advanced admission prices may feel that he has a point.(this was written in 1961)
