Audience Member
Dull western is actually two episodes of "The Virginian" from the 1960s, one starring Charles Bronson and the other starring Lee Marvin, edited together and released theatrically almost 20 years later. The episodes are connected in that Marvin and Bronson are supposed to be half brothers, although they didn't appear together in their respective episode and their stories not originally connected. The only reason I wanted to see this film is that one of the two episodes was written and directed by the great Samuel Fuller ("The Big Red One," "The Steel Helmet," "Shock Corridor," etc.), but you'd barely notice when watching this routine TV western. There are flashes where you can see seeds of something better, such some basic story concepts (Fuller wrote and directed the Lee Marvin episode), Fuller's usual knack for action, and, of course, Bronson and Marvin. However, it's all undone by cheap television production values, such as cheap sets, bad photography, and painful overuse of stock footage. Marvin is good, but he seems to just be going through the motions, as does Fuller. Really, there's nothing to recommend here unless you're a Fuller, Marvin, or Bronson completionist.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
Full Review
dave j
Monday, April 28, 2014
(1966) The Meanest Men In The West
WESTERN
Plays and feels like a really bad made for TV movie, but it's like the only movie where one can see Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin sharing the same screen together. The set up regards a robbery lead by Harge Talbot Jr (Charles Bronson) and company gone wrong since someone ratted him out. The movie centers on Harge trying to find the culprit responsible which is really his psychopathic brother Kalig (Lee Marvin) who had just kidnapped the judge(Lee J Cobb) who imprisoned him. This also happens to be Lee J Cobbs final film appearance.
1 star out of 4
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Are you trying to get me to shoot you?
A young boy living with his mother and step dad loses his mother during the birth of his little brother. His step father chooses the boy over saving the mom during birth and the young boy never forgives him. One day, he kills his step dad and helps his brother find a worthwhile home. The older brother becomes a ruthless outlaw and the younger brother is an outlaw, but hopes to eventually settle down and begin a family. The older brother never forgives the younger brother for his mother dying. Eventually, they will settle this dispute, over the death of their mother, with their guns.
"Inside me there is life. For the first time I can see that it is different with you. They say you carry death."
Charles Dubin (director of episodes of Matlock, MASH, Roots, and Hawaii-Five-O) collaborates with Samuel Fuller (director of I Shot Jesse James, Hell and High Water, and The Naked Kiss) to deliver The Meanest Men in the West. The storyline for this movie was delivered from the first two episodes of the Virginian. The plot is above average but not elite for the genre. The dialogue was okay but the acting was better than I anticipated and includes Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Charles Grodin, Gary Clarke, and Miriam Colon.
"I sentenced you to ten years."
"Well, I only served three months."
I DVR'd this picture because it starred Charles Bronson. His old school movies are generally pretty good; unfortunately, this was just okay. The plot had a lot of potential but wasn't delivered with as much drama as I had hoped. Overall, this movie is an above average western but far from a classic. I only recommend seeing this if you're a huge western genre fan.
"I hate the baby and I hope it dies!"
Grade: C+
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This feature length tale comes from the TV series The Virginian.
Wanting revenge on Judge Garth (Lee J. Cobb), who sent him to prison, Kalig (Lee Marvin) tells Harge Talbot Jr (Charles Bronson) that Garth's forman, the Virginian (James Drury) betrayed him and his gang. While Harge keeps the Virginian out of the way, Kalig kidnaps Garth and holds him for ransom, but when Harge learns it was really Kalig who set them up, the stage is set for a violent final showdown.
also stars Miriam Colon, James Dury, Charles Grodin, Don Mitchell, Albert Salmi and Brad Weston.
directed by Samuel Fuller.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Even the casting of Cobb, Bronson and Marvin can't save this lame made for tv effort. Disappointing considering who is involved but Watchable I suppose.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/22/23
Full Review
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