Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Three Bad Men

Released Aug 28, 1926 1h 15m Western List
Tomatometer 2 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In the 1870s, gold is discovered in the Dakota Territory, and wanted men Bull Stanley (Tom Santschi) and Mike Costigan (J. Farrell MacDonald) join thousands of other pioneers on a westward journey in search of wealth. Soon, Bull and Mike see a gang of thugs attacking Lee (Olive Borden), a young woman. They rescue her, but her father is killed during the assault, so Mike and Bull become her guardians. Before long, Bull and Mike leave their criminal pasts behind and devote themselves to Lee.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Three Bad Men

Critics Reviews

View All (2) Critics Reviews
Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) The ability of the director to combine, without narrative ruptures, different genres, such as comedy, action, and drama is an example of great filmmaking. [Full Review in Spanish] Aug 26, 2019 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Rich, rousing Western is full of vivid characters, romance, comedy and spectacle. Jan 31, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews
william d 3 Bad Men could be considered an antecedent to the slew of "antihero" Westerns made in the 1960s and 70s. The land rush scene is still impressive 96 years after it was filmed and Olive Borden is a true beauty. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member One of John Ford's early Westerns, 3 Bad Men is action-packed, humorous, and emotionally resonant. Set at the beginning of the Black Hills Gold Rush, the film chronicles the travels of three notorious outlaws as they seek to help a young woman whose father has just been killed as well as to take down the corrupt sheriff Layne Hunter. The film has plenty of action, with the chaos of the land rush scene being one of the high-points. J. Farrell MacDonald and Frank Campeau as Mike Costigan and 'Spade' Allen, respectively, are often stealing the spotlight from the film's leads Whether it be in the hilarious "Husband Hunting" scene or the emotional sacrifices they make in the film's climax, these characters are well-written and well-played. Ultimately, 3 Bad Men is a powerful film that asks the viewer what it really means to be a good person. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member terrific film, with compositions worthy of murnau and bits of hilarious business. the only ford silent i've seen but what a treasure. seemingly all ford's themes are already present Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Fantastic Silent Western from John Ford Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Great great great classic John Ford western that would probably be more famous if it wasn't silent. Nonetheless, this flick is funny and touching and exciting and fun. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a good old fashioned western in the spirit of Stagecoach. It has all the requisite characters necessary to make the story interesting and Ford makes nary a mistake. He definitely has the action scenes down pat. The build up to and execution of the land rush scene is spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it made without digital effects. Everyone loves it when bad men are reformed, ever worse men get their comeuppance, and a lost boy and girl find each other. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Three Bad Men

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1870s, gold is discovered in the Dakota Territory, and wanted men Bull Stanley (Tom Santschi) and Mike Costigan (J. Farrell MacDonald) join thousands of other pioneers on a westward journey in search of wealth. Soon, Bull and Mike see a gang of thugs attacking Lee (Olive Borden), a young woman. They rescue her, but her father is killed during the assault, so Mike and Bull become her guardians. Before long, Bull and Mike leave their criminal pasts behind and devote themselves to Lee.
Director
John Ford
Distributor
Fox Film Corporation
Production Co
Fox Film Corporation
Genre
Western
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 1926, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 6, 2014
Runtime
1h 15m
Most Popular at Home Now