The Last Hard Men

Cast Charlton Heston and one of my favorite wester actors, James Coburn opposite one another and I’m set up for a satisfying film. The script gives us a story as old as the west in the hands of talented director Andrew McLaglen. The result is a good film that may have squandered the potential to be great.

Arizona Ranger, Captain Sam Burgade’s (Heston) retirement is interrupted by half-breed Navajo renegade Zach Provo (Coburn) escaping from Yuma Prison with a half dozen accomplices. Burgade put Provo behind bars, but more than that Provo blames the ranger for the death of his wife. Provo’s thirst for revenge cannot be slacked by anything less than killing Sam Burgade.

Provo and his gang abduct Burgade’s daughter Susan (Barbara Hershey) to draw the retired lawman into a showdown. Provo shows himself to be utterly ruthless, allowing two of his men to rape Susan in plain sight of her father. Burgade’s partner prevents him from a suicidal rescue attempt. As events unfold, Burgade kills Provo’s men one by one until only the renegade remains. Provo gets the drop on Burgade wounding him repeatedly before preparing to cut out his heart. Burgade turns the tables and kills him.

Critics including the New York Times and Variety generally gave the film decent reviews. Variety praised the cinematography along with the intensity of the portrayal. Coburn voiced misgivings over the authenticity of his character’s singular obsession with vengeance and pain. That may be the bruise on the bloom for me.

Next Week: Two Flags West
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Ride easy,
Paul