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The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

Play trailer Poster for The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean PG Released Dec 18, 1972 2h 0m Western Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Saved from near death by a young Mexican girl, a former outlaw sets himself up as sole arbiter of the law in a small town. The town prospers as Judge Bean robs and hangs anyone with money that comes through it, but his haven becomes less secure when his Mexican companion dies and the townsfolk begin to turn against him.
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The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael New Yorker It might have been better if Huston and Newman hadn’t softened the viciousness; then they’d have had to face the disgrace of what they were working on. Sep 29, 2023 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean sets out to be an elegy to the passing of the Old West, and ends up being an elegy to the passing of bad manners. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This ragged film never amounts to much, but it's at least consistent in its eccentricities. Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 16, 2021 Full Review Judith Crist Texas Monthly It's all very movie-movie, with even that happy ending we schmaltz-lovers love so well. Jun 11, 2020 Full Review Alberto Abuín Espinof Above all, a self-assured Paul Newman stands out, offering a whole recital full of very funny and very emotional moments. [Full Review in Spanish] Apr 16, 2020 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Milius' screenplay is acridly flavorful, Huston gives it a mellow reading Sep 25, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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CodyZamboni A mostly successful comic Western, that takes the life of Judge Bean and goes crazy with it. Paul Newman is clearly having good time. I like the wacky, colorful characters, the film's goofy charm, and dark humor. And at times, the movie is quite poignant. I also like the epic feel of movie, as we watch Bean's wealth and influence grow, as his small skanky desert brothel, becomes a boomtown. Lots of famous faces in supporting roles, with some of them narrating the story, sometimes speaking directly to the camera. Best and funniest slapstick sequences, involve a beer drinking bear. Directed by John Huston, written by John Millius, and Andy Williams sings theme song !!!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/23 Full Review Natalie King C One of the worst films I've seen with an unbelievably stupid plot. Even if it was based on a real person, his character didn't deserve a movie to worship him and his murdering, hanging, thuggish personality. And the "tame" bear was the stupidest part of all, riding in the car, enjoying a picnic with the Roy & his girlfriend. At this point the film became a cartoon. It was a complete waste of time. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/26/23 Full Review Steve D The cast is all it has. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/18/23 Full Review jelisije j A movie that was developed and paced as a tv series rather than a movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Paul Newman stars as former lawbreaker turned judge in the mythical gun toting Hollywood old west. Through a series of made up pastiches in the first 75 minutes the movie's plot slowly progresses as Judge Bean's fixation on Lillie Langtry is developed and he dispenses his brand of justice for personal profit. As the movie ends the skits get increasingly unbelievable even with suspenders of disbelief on. Jacqueline Bisset appears in the final 40 minutes of the film with her incongruous English accent. The only thing that saves the movie is the acting and characters in the movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member All the worse things of a dated 70's western. Ridiculous and not in a good way. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

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The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

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Movie Info

Synopsis Saved from near death by a young Mexican girl, a former outlaw sets himself up as sole arbiter of the law in a small town. The town prospers as Judge Bean robs and hangs anyone with money that comes through it, but his haven becomes less secure when his Mexican companion dies and the townsfolk begin to turn against him.
Director
John Huston
Producer
John Foreman
Distributor
National General Pictures
Production Co
First Artists
Rating
PG
Genre
Western, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 18, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Runtime
2h 0m
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