The Kentuckian

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The Kentuckian

Released Jul 22, 1955

1h 44m

Western

Drama

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14%

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7 Reviews

42%

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250+ Ratings

Upstanding widower "Big Eli" Wakefield (Burt Lancaster) decides to move from Kentucky further west to Texas. He undertakes the journey with just his young son "Little Eli" (Donald MacDonald), but en route they pick up friends like indentured servant Hannah (Dianne Foster) and schoolmarm Susie (Diana Lynn), a potential love interest. This motley crew's path is difficult, and they face many obstacles, not the least of which is nasty frontiersman Stan Bodine (Walter Matthau).

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Variety Staff

Variety

The footage is long and often slow, with the really high spots of action rather scattered.

Mar 18, 2020

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James Morgan

Sight & Sound

The Kentuckian, though its plot is almost tenuous and its action slight, is a long and ambitious kind of Western.

Mar 18, 2020

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Tom Milne

Time Out

In general the direction tends to get bogged down in not very interesting characters and relationships while neglecting to deliver the action.

Jun 24, 2006

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TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

An occasionally brutal, but generally plodding western from Lancaster (his first as a director), who fails to pump much life into the anemic script, giving the cast little to do.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 26, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Burt Lancaster's only effort as solo director is this slow-moving, flat, so-so western.

Rated: C

Mar 24, 2007

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Film4 Staff

Film4

Although the film is small scale, Lancaster's many talents come to the fore here.

May 24, 2003

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Lennon C

Okay.. folks have been WAY too hard on this movie. First off.. it looks absolutely gorgeous if you watch the remaster. The technicolor makes Burt’s eyes look like swimming pools. You should watch this as if it were a kids movie. A Davey Crockett Disney Father/Son type movie. It’s hokey, corny, and sure dated in some parts. I feel like it has charm, and warms the heart. Plenty of lessons on class, conformity, and the good parts of change.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

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Steve D

Forgettable Western with a great star.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

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Audience Member

A good 'lesson' movie for youngsters just learning about life's essential principles. The plot is fairly simple, but effective. The acting is the same. Does it stand up to timeless great movies? Nope. But put a thoughtful grandparent and a curious-minded 8-10 year old together for a weekend and it could be fuel for some interesting discussions about life, American history, slavery, opportunities and the choices people make. Not bad for a 60 year-old movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

Mediocre Western. Yawner. I did get a kick out of the old time dancing and awkward speaking style of Burt Lancaster.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Frances H

Not Burt's best by far, especially if you compare it to a similarly themed film like Rachel and the Stranger.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/16

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Audience Member

It would make a good slow Sunday afternoon flick, so long as the kid doesn't irritate you too much. It is certainly worth a watch just for a young Walter Matthau whipping Burt Lancaster!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Burt Lancaster

Director

Burt Lancaster

Elias Wakefield

Dianne Foster

Hannah

Diana Lynn

Susie

John McIntire

Zack Wakefield

Una Merkel

Sophie Wakefield

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Synopsis

Upstanding widower "Big Eli" Wakefield (Burt Lancaster) decides to move from Kentucky further west to Texas. He undertakes the journey with just his young son "Little Eli" (Donald MacDonald), but en route they pick up friends like indentured servant Hannah (Dianne Foster) and schoolmarm Susie (Diana Lynn), a potential love interest. This motley crew's path is difficult, and they face many obstacles, not the least of which is nasty frontiersman Stan Bodine (Walter Matthau).

Director: Burt Lancaster
Producer: Harold Hecht
Screenwriter: A. B. Guthrie Jr.
Production Co: Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre: Western, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 22, 1955, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 44m

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