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Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here

Play trailer Poster for Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here PG 1969 1h 36m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
69% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
While confronting the disapproving father of his girlfriend, Lola (Katharine Ross), Native American man Willie Boy (Robert Blake) kills the man in self-defense. Forced to go on the run, the couple is pursued by Deputy Sheriff Christopher Cooper (Robert Redford), who is somewhat empathetic to their plight, and a group of cold, calculating bounty hunters. As the pursuit continues, the situation grows increasingly tense, with Willie Boy and Cooper headed for a standoff.

Critics Reviews

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Don Druker Chicago Reader A thoughtful, intelligent film that nearly makes up in style and conviction what it lacks in dramatic substance. May 1, 2013 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Redford's 'presence' is magnificent, always suggesting the classically-structured, powerful-but-weak American. Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out A powerful film, even though the script wears its liberal conscience on its sleeve (and further hedges its bets by casting nice Robert Redford as the sheriff), directed with austere authority in desert landcapes marvellously shot by Conrad Hall. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Redford is utterly unconvincing. Rated: 2.5/4 May 6, 2025 Full Review Harvey G. Cox Tempo (National Council of Churches) What's so great about Willie Boy? Nothing. Jan 7, 2021 Full Review Paul Schrader Coast FM & Fine Arts The cynicism of Willie Boy is inorganic and self-consciously anti-romantic. The principals do not arise ingenuously from their environment, but seem set consciously upon it, like the clowns in Waiting For Godot. Jun 30, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B It's Not Bad but it's a bit fustrating because you can tell this is so close to being good. The music is good and besides Redford probably the best things here. Everything else isn't bad here. This is effectively a cat and mouse chase across the West hunting down an Indian whose jumped the reservation for reasons. Simple setup enough. But the problem is focus. The first 20 minutes or so is very clunky and rough in setting up characters and it's honestly a bit boring. Than once the pursuit starts it finds a rhythm but loses it when they head back to town and it becomes about the President and all. It feels pointless, kills momentum, and than it becomes about the romance with Redford and Ross which isn't bad either but it just doesn't fit well. It feels like the background throughout it tries giving Blake & Redford is two totally seperate movies and the break in the middle comes at the worst time. When it focuses just on the chase across the West it's good. It's just a shame they couldn't figure out how to make it work better. As is anyone whose a hardcore Redford or of any actor here may get something out of this but most could skip it and not miss much. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/30/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Robert Blake as Native American Willie Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/01/25 Full Review Dallas H The usage of brown face. Ugh! And it's not exactly a memorable Robert Redford western genre movie either. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review KB B This was just okay but not nearly my favorite Redford movie. Watch if there's nothing else on and see what you think. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Shioka O Maybe not that bad, but I simply needed several times to finish it. This 90min felt like much longer. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/22/22 Full Review delysid d this is a great movie. robert blake was a great actor who also was in the films IN COLD BLOOD and ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE. yeah, he's not really a native american but if you can get past that it's a compelling watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/11/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here

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Movie Info

Synopsis While confronting the disapproving father of his girlfriend, Lola (Katharine Ross), Native American man Willie Boy (Robert Blake) kills the man in self-defense. Forced to go on the run, the couple is pursued by Deputy Sheriff Christopher Cooper (Robert Redford), who is somewhat empathetic to their plight, and a group of cold, calculating bounty hunters. As the pursuit continues, the situation grows increasingly tense, with Willie Boy and Cooper headed for a standoff.
Director
Abraham Polonsky
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 5, 2019
Runtime
1h 36m