Chisum (1970)

[Kevin]

Chisum (director: Andrew V. McLaglen; screenwriter: Andrew J. Fenady/from the sory by Andrew J. Fenady "Chisum and the Lincoln County Cattle War"; cinematographer: William H. Clothier; editor: Robert Simpson; music: Dominic Frontiere; cast: John Wayne (John Simpson Chisum), Forrest Tucker (Murphy), Geoffrey Deuel (Billy the Kid), Patric Knowles (Henry Tunstall), Pamela McMyler (Sally Chisum), Ben Johnson (Pepper), Glenn Corbett (Pat Garrett), Christopher George (Dan Nodeon), Andrew Prine (Alex McSween), Lynda Day (Sue McSween), Bruce Cabot (Sheriff Brady), Robert Donner (Morton, deputy sheriff), Ray Teal (Justice J.B. Wilson), Gregg Palmer (Karl Riker), Alan Baxter (Gov. Axtell), Richard Jaeckel (Jess Evans); Runtime: 110; MPAA Rating: G; producer: Andrew J. Fenady; Warner Brothers; 1970)

Reviews:

A stylish big-budget rousing range war Western that is a gimmicky mix of myth and hokum, directed with flair by Andrew V. McLaglen; it plays cutesy with the Billy the Kid (Geoffrey Deuel) and Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett) movie lore legend and touches on the actual history of the Lincoln County Cattle War but in a Hollywoodish way, something that almost fouls up the fictionalized John Simpson Chisum (John Wayne) part. He's the staunch reformed Indian fighter and gunslinger who is now an Indian lover and honest cattle baron on the side of the little guy and frontier justice (overlooking the fact he was a monopolist before the arrival of his villainous rival). Chisum is the good-guy capitalist fighting the evil capitalist Murphy (Forrest Tucker), a newcomer to the 1878 New Mexico Territory town of Lincoln who is buying out all the local businesses through legal and semi-legal means while expanding his ranch and bribing the law as far away as in the capital, where the unprincipled appointed frontier governor sits, and locally through his stooge Sheriff Brady.*

It's produced and scripted by Andrew J. Fenady, from his story "Chisum and the Lincoln County Cattle War."

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

[Kevin]

I personally like this take on the Lincoln Co. Cattle Wars, but at times I feel it drags along. I'm un-sure of the whole Billy the Kid with a Bible thing but maybe someone can address that part of the story. Chisum is a classic Duke westerns set on a big canvas, with just about all the Duke regulars making appearances. ;)

Thanks my quick take on it.

[thesherrif]

I have always enjoyed Chisum. I never cared for the actor who played Billy the Kid. But it was classic Duke!!

[DukePilgrim]

I always like this movie it was well paced western with lots of action and pretty of familar faces from other Wayne movies like Ben Johnston Richard Jaeckel , John Agar (blink and you miss him) Bruce Cabot and Forrest Tucker. Also Hank Worden (Old Mose from The Searchers) as the stagecoach manager.

Billy the Kid's character was played by Geoff Duel who was the brother of Pete Duel who starred in the 1970s western series Alias Smith & Jones.

[erthomp143]

I justed watched Chisum today and it beats the heck out of Young Guns.... Only thing I had a hard time with is being able to tell it's his double way to often in the last fight scene...

[Kevin]

Originally posted by erthomp143@Jan 11 2006, 05:37 PM
I justed watched Chisum today and it beats the heck out of Young Guns.... Only thing I had a hard time with is being able to tell it's his double way to often in the last fight scene...

[snapback]25235[/snapback]

I agree, they could have done a much better job of covering that up
It was quite noticeable.

[ethanedwards]

Hi,
In addition to Kevins excellent review,
I'd like to add some more information, regarding
this very fine film.
It is one that I have always, enjoyed,
even right down to the title song!
Rating 9/10

CHISUM

DIRECTED BY ANDREW McLAGLEN
PRODUCED BY ANDREW J. FENADY
WARNER BROS

..

..

Information from IMDb

Full Cast
John Wayne .... John Simpson Chisum
Forrest Tucker .... Lawrence Murphy
Christopher George .... Dan Nodeen
Ben Johnson .... James Pepper
Glenn Corbett .... Pat Garrett
Andrew Prine .... Alex McSween
Bruce Cabot .... Sheriff Brady
Patric Knowles .... Henry Tunstall
Richard Jaeckel .... Jess Evans
Lynda Day George .... Sue McSween (as Lynda Day)
Geoffrey Deuel .... Billy 'The Kid' Bonney
Pamela McMyler .... Sallie Chisum
John Agar .... Amos Patton
Lloyd Battista .... Neemo
Robert Donner .... Morton (deputy sheriff)
Ray Teal .... Justice J.B. Wilson
Edward Faulkner .... James J. Dolan
Ron Soble .... Charley Bowdre
John Mitchum .... Baker (deputy sheriff)
Glenn Langan .... Colonel Dudley
Alan Baxter .... Gov. Sam Axtell
Alberto Morin .... Juan Delgado
William Bryant .... Jeff
Pedro Armendáriz Jr. .... Ben (as Pedro Armendariz Jr.)
Christopher Mitchum .... Tom O'Folliard
John Pickard .... Aggressive sergeant
Abraham Sofaer .... Chief White Buffalo
Gregg Palmer .... Karl Riker
Hank Worden .... Stationmaster
Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales .... Mexican rancher (as Pedro Gonzales Gonzales)
Jim Burk
Eddy Donno
Bob Morgan
William Conrad .... Narrator - Opening Credits (voice) (uncredited)
José Ángel Espinosa 'Ferrusquilla' .... (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... (uncredited)
Josh McLaglen .... (uncredited)
Mary McLaglen .... (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... Trail herder (uncredited)
Trinidad Villa .... Blacksmith (uncredited)
Ralph Volkie .... Blacksmith (uncredited)

Produced
Andrew J. Fenady .... producer
Michael Wayne .... executive producer (as Michael A. Wayne)

Original Music
Dominic Frontiere (also songs "Turn Me Around" and "Ballad of John Chisum")

Cinematography
William H. Clothier (director of photography)

Stunts
Dick Bullock .... stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Eddy Donno .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Gary McLarty .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Bob Orrison .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills .... stunts (uncredited)

Trivia
While in production on this film in Mexico, John Wayne won the Golden Globe and found out he was nominated for the Oscar for True Grit (1969).

Although they met some time earlier Christopher George and Lynda Day George fell in love and later married after working on this project.

Both Ralph Volkie and Trinidad Villa are credited as the blacksmith in various reference works.

The Zoom in and zoom out sequences of Chisum sitting on his horse on the hillside at the beginning and end of the movie are the same footage. The original shot was the zoom out used at the end. That was reversed to produce the zoom in used at the beginning.

When Chisum and Sally are talking on the porch, Chisum opens up a pocket watch to see what time it is and Sally remarks that the picture of a man and a woman inside the watch's cover are her parents (Chisum's brother and sister-in-law). The man in the photograph is actually producer Andrew J. Fenady.

The Chisum Ranch house in this film is the exact house used in Big Jake (1971), a John Wayne western made a year later. Note the scenery around the ranch.

John Wayne was very disappointed that his stunt double was so obvious in the final fight with Forrest Tucker.

Although clearly labeled as the older man, at 57 Patric Knowles was actually five years younger than John Wayne.

Finnish censorship certificate # 78758 delivered on 5-8-1970.

Final film of Abraham Sofaer.

Ray Teal's final movie.

John Wayne's son, Patrick Wayne played Pat Garrett in Young Guns (1988), another movie about the Lincoln County Wars of 1878.

Jim Burk doubled for Forrest Tucker in part of the final fight scene.

Film debut of Geoffrey Deuel.

Goofs
* Crew or equipment visible: During the ambush of the supply train, the shadow of a camera and crew is visible in the dust at the bottom of the frame.

* Revealing mistakes: John Wayne's stunt double is very obvious in fight scene between Chisum and Murphy.

* Crew or equipment visible: When Chisum and Murphy go over the porch together at the end of the film, the overhead shot of their fall reveals a poorly-concealed mat stretched over the dirt road below.

* Revealing mistakes: In the gunfight at the store/bank, when the scene changes from nighttime to daylight two curtains on the outside of the store change lengths.

* Continuity: When Billy shoots Jess Evans, he falls on his stomach. In the next shot, he is lying on his back.

* Continuity: Tunstall and Billy Bonney are standing by their horses and talking to Jess Evans, who has just ridden in to town. In three consecutive shots of the scene, Tunstall alternately has his pipe in his mouth, after which it is gone, and then re-appears.

* Continuity: Pepper's facial hair changes and is sometimes gone throughout the film.

* Crew or equipment visible: When John Wayne prepares to punch Forrest Tucker, his fist hits the camera behind his head.

* Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the "Big Casino, Little Casino" scene Pat Garrett is playing draw poker. If he loses the hand he will accept Chisum's job offer. He tells Chisum the next card will make up his mind. He draws one card, the 10 of diamonds, known as "Big Casino". When the camera shows his hand he was drawing to 5, 8, J, Q of spades, attempting to complete a flush. The 10 of diamonds gave him a four flush or losing hand. However, slow motion shows him throwing away the six of spades. It appears he broke up a "pat" hand to draw.

* Factual errors: Henry Tunstall was only 25 when he was murdered in 1878.

* Factual errors: Lawrence Murphy was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March, 1877. He sold his interest in the company to his partners, Dolan and Riley. The company was renamed Jas. J. Dolan & Co. Murphy was in Santa Fe during most of the Lincoln County War. He died of the cancer on Oct. 20, 1878.

* Anachronisms: (At 16:24) When the camera shot changes to the group on the slope in front of the stream, on the opposite side of the stream a automobile can be seen briefly moving along a road up on the opposite slope.

Memorable Quotes

Filming Locations
Durango, Mexico
Eaves Movie Ranch - 105 Rancho Alegre Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

[WaynamoJim]

OK Keith, question for you. IN the scene at the river where Chisum confronts the rustlers, just before Bonney rides up, who's the rustler Chisum is talking to about taking his herd back. I've seen the guy in a few other films but, never knew who he was. I liked his character in this movie, humorous but, deadly.

[ethanedwards]

Hi WaynamoJim
Without quickly watching the film,
I believe this is Pedro Armendáriz Jr. .... Ben.
son of one of Duke's old co-stars PA Snr.he of 3 GODFATHERS,
and THE CONQUEROR.
However, I'd like to take another look,

[WaynamoJim]

I never really seen Jr. when he was younger but, I do remember him from Tombstone as the priest at the beginning who's gunned down by Ringo. As for Pedro Sr., he was also in Fort Apache and even did a James Bond film, From Russia With Love as a Turkish police official who sort of partners up with Bond during the first half of the film.

[ethanedwards]

Memorable Quotes

Sallie Chisum: I think in some ways, the two of them are a lot alike.
Pat Garrett: Who?
Sallie Chisum: Uncle John, Billy Bonney. Don't you think they are? Don't you?
Pat Garrett: Not in the important things.
Sallie Chisum: Like what?
Pat Garrett: Well, Mr. Chisum's changed with the times. He doesn't like to let on, but he cares... about the people here and in town, about the Indians and the territory. Well, he's independent, and he likes to do things his own way, but he cares.
Sallie Chisum: And Billy doesn't?
Pat Garrett: I guess he can't help it. But you heard him, all he cares about is gettin' those men.
Sallie Chisum: In a way, doesn't it amount to the same thing?
Pat Garrett: No. Billy wants revenge. Mr. Chisum wants justice. There's a big difference.

Lawrence Murphy: Sheriff Brady, Jess Evans, this is Alex McSween. Uh, he's part of the family.
Jess Evans: Howdy.
Sheriff Brady: What does he do?
Lawrence Murphy: Well, he used to be a storekeeper and now he's my lawyer.
Jess Evans: I prefer storekeepers!
Alex McSween: Then don't ever get arrested.
Jess Evans: I don't intend to.

Jess Evans: Why get in a frazzle over Chisum? You turn me loose on him... there'll be a sudden funeral right here in Lincoln.
Lawrence Murphy: Uh-huh. Yours.
Jess Evans: How's that?
Lawrence Murphy: Do you play chess?
Jess Evans: Chess? What the hell has that got to do with Chisum?
Lawrence Murphy: Everything. You just leave him alone. I'll take care of Mr. Chisum.
Sheriff Brady: That ain't gonna be easy.
Lawrence Murphy: You're right. But see, there's a fundamental difference between Mr. Chisum and me.
Sheriff Brady: Yeah, what's that?
Lawrence Murphy: Mr. Chisum is a man who respects the law.
[Chuckles]
Lawrence Murphy: Around here, I'm the man who owns it.

Lawrence Murphy: And you good people witnessed the cowardly and cold-blooded murder of our beloved Sheriff Brady by Billy "the Kid" Bonney right over there. Governor Axtell has appointed a new sheriff, Dan Nodeen. He's offered a $200 award for the kid, and I'm adding a further reward of $1,000, dead or alive.
[Crowd murmurs "$1200"]
Lawrence Murphy: Sheriff here has formed his posse. Oh... Have you got anything you want to add to that, Sheriff?
Dan Nodeen: Just this. I'm going to bring Bonney in. Now you people can either help me, or stay the hell out of my way!

Justice J.B. Wilson: Mr. Murphy. Just how much of Lincoln County are you after?
Lawrence Murphy: Well, Mr. Chisum came out here several years ago, put his name on everything he could. I've only been here a little while. Just getting started. Do you have anything to say to that, Mr. Chisum?
John Simpson Chisum: Well I don't favor talking to vermin, but I'll talk to you just this once. You're not just getting started. The line's been drawn. What Billy did balanced the books so far. But if one of your men cross my land or even touch one of my cows, or do anything to that store, I'm not going to the sheriff, the governor, or the president of the United States. I'm coming to see you.
Lawrence Murphy: Hmph. Mr. Chisum, that sounds like a threat.
John Simpson Chisum: [John Chisum belts Murphy, knocking him down with his right fist] Wrong word. FACT!

Henry Tunstall: John, I want to thank you for taking care of William.
John Simpson Chisum: [chuckles] No, not me, Sally.
Henry Tunstall: She's a wonderful girl, she's a worthwhile lamb.
John Simpson Chisum: Oh yeah, Henry, according to you, everybody's worthwhile.
Henry Tunstall: God's children, John. Oh, William reminds me of someone.
John Simpson Chisum: A black sheep in the family, no doubt.
Henry Tunstall: No, a young chap I never even talked to. Years ago in England this man very much like William killed a man in some senseless brawl. And I watched that young man walk to the gallows. And I saw him hang. Ghastly sight. There was nothing I could do to help that young lad.

John Simpson Chisum: I'm going down there, the rest of you cover me with your long guns.
[James Pepper follows Chisum]
John Simpson Chisum: I said cover me!
James Pepper: I know what you said, Mr. Chisum! But I ain't the rest of them!

Billy the Kid: It's nice to have you with us Big Casino!
Pat Garrett: Thanks, Little Casino.

Pat Garrett: Well, I'm upwind and I smell it on you.
Billy the Kid: Buffalo?
Pat Garrett: Death.
Billy the Kid: I see what you mean. Can it ever go away? That smell I mean.
Pat Garrett: Sure it can, with time, good company and patience.

Billy the Kid: I made you a promise, Mr. Tunstall. Now I'm making myself a promise. It says in the Bible, "The candle of the wicked shall be put out."

Jess Evans: That man there, he's meaner than a gut shot grizzly.

James Pepper: You know, there's an old saying, Miss Sally. There's no law west of Dodge and no God west of the Pecos. Right, Mr. Chisum?
John Simpson Chisum: Wrong, Mr. Pepper. Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there's the law. And sooner or later they find God's already been there.

Morton: You're going to shoot us, ain't you Chisum?
John Simpson Chisum: I thought about it. Then I thought about something Henry Tunstall once said. He watched a man walk to the gallows... saw him hang. He said it was ghastly. Well, I've seen men hang, and that's the word - ghastly. You two are going to hang.

Neemo: So if you want these horses, I sell them to you. Did you bring some gold with you?
John Simpson Chisum: No.
Neemo: Silver?
John Simpson Chisum: Just lead!

Sheriff Brady: He's deader than a can of corned beef. You just had to kill him, huh?
Dan Nodeen: A whole lot less trouble that way.

John Simpson Chisum: We may have to be neighbors, but I don't have to be neighborly.

James Pepper: What are you going to do?
John Simpson Chisum: What I had done twenty-five years ago. Pat, get the men out of South Camp. Trace, you round up everybody that can ride a horse or pull a trigger. Let's break out some Winchesters!

James Pepper: Would you like to hear my opinion, Mr. John Simpson Chisum?
John Simpson Chisum: Nope.
James Pepper: Well, my opinion is all this speechifying, storekeeping, prayer-meeting don't amount to spit in the river. There's only one thing that's going to make this territory know who's bull of the woods... and sometime or sooner it's going to happen.
John Simpson Chisum: Do I?
James Pepper: You do. It's just going to be you and Murphy, head-to-head and horn-to-horn... and one hell of a fight. But one of you has got to lose, so the other one walks away with the herd and the whole shebang. Now, that's my opinion.

INFORMATION IMDb

[chester7777]

Definitely another great film of the Duke's.

Deep Discount DVD has the movie, and several different posters.

Amazon offers the movie in new and used. The price for shipping one item used on Amazon is $3.49 (standard shipping). Sometimes the cost of the used item, plus shipping, is so close to new you might as well have a new one.

Chester

[Senta]

Hi all,
I bought 2 zone DVD of Chisum in Finland and the quality is exellent. I watch movie with new eyes. Also there is documentary, trailer and audiocommentc by Andrew McLaglen.
Regards,
Senta

[Logolight]

Does anyone know the names of the supporting actors who played the ranch herders named "Charlie"(big teeth) and "Tommy"(blonde hair)? They were Billy's side kicks when he broke into the General Store and "Charlie" was the one who brought out the extra ammo from the storage room and said "There's enough ammunition in there to fight a war!". The cast listings that I've seen don't credit these two actors. Thanks.

[Senta]

Originally posted by Logolight@Sep 9 2006, 08:25 AM
Does anyone know the names of the supporting actors who played the ranch herders named "Charlie"(big teeth) and "Tommy"(blonde hair)?* They were Billy's side kicks when he broke into the General Store and "Charlie" was the one who brought out the extra ammo from the storage room and said "There's enough ammunition in there to fight a war!".* The cast listings that I've seen don't credit these two actors.* Thanks.

[snapback]34360[/snapback]

Hi,
I think Tommy is Christopher Mitchum (Mitchum's son). I don't remember Charlie, but I have a feeling that he was somewhere else. Arthur knew it all exactly.
Regards,
Senta