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REGION 2 DVD - DUTCH IMPORT - OFFICIAL 20th CENTURY FOX RELEASE - HARD TO FIND CLASSIC.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Honest and Convincing Film.,
By Bob Salter "Captain Spindrift" (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 50 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Hombre [1967] [Dutch Import] (DVD)
"Hombre"(67) was directed by Martin Ritt who also worked with Paul Newman on other films including the very good contemporary Western "Hud" (62). The film is based on the very good book of the same name by Elmore Leonard who is probably better known these days for his crime writing. The film explores the psychology of racial hatred and is very sombre in mood. Other films like "The Half Breed"(50) starring Jack Beutel and "Broken Lance"(54), which had Robert Wagner cast as the mixed race son of Spencer Tracy and Katy Jurado also explored the same theme, but without the same depth.
In the film Paul Newman plays the taciturn John Russell, a white man who was raised with the Apache Indians. It is soon clear he is far more Apache than white. He turns up in an Arizona town to claim his Father's inheritance which consists of a gold watch and a boarding house. He promptly sells the boarding house and boards the stagecoach to leave town. On board are some of his disgruntled lodgers. They are not long into the journey before Russell starts to experience hatred and irrational prejudice due to his background. Also on board is the respected Professor Favor played by Frederic March and his wife Audra. The always watchable Richard Boone is also on board as the crude Cicero Grimes. Due to the insistence of Audra and the others Russell is forced to sit on the top with the stage driver who is a Mexican. The stagecoach is then robbed by a gang that Grimes happens to be the leader of. It transpires that Professor Favor has stolen a large amount of money from the very Apache Indians Russell grew up with. Russell shoots two of the gang and then tries to lead the group to safety. The very bigots he rode with now depend on him for their survival. We head to a tragic finale where Newman has a difficult choice to make. Should he leave these people to their fate. If he does, then is he any better than these people who have hated him without reason? "Hombre" is one of Kevin Costner's favorite films and who am I to argue with a person who has done so much to revive this genre. It is certainly a more honest approach to the themes explored than films of the past. It was a good idea to have a white man feel the awful impact of racial prejudice, even though he was of the same skin as his tormentors. This seems to give it an even greater impact. The cast is very strong. The excellent Martin Balsam is very good as the Mexican driver and Frank Silvera is a very vocal Mexican bandit. He is the man who refers to Russell as Hombre. It is clear Russell has more in common with him than the passengers. The film is well acted by all involved and is utterly convincing. It is sad that we have to rely on a Dutch import to get a Region 2 DVD. This fine film deserves better treatment. Highly recommended viewing.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great depiction of a great story,
By Dick Chuckens "Dick" (Sussex, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hombre [1967] [Dutch Import] (DVD)
I like Elmore Leonard and this story is one of his best. Thankfully the film retains his simple, terse style allowing events to bring out the stories behind the protagonists and show us their true characters. Its not what people say that counts, its what they do.
Any actor could have been chosen to play the central character. There's no silent brooding but words are just a waste of time for the white boy raised by Apaches. Charles Bronson or Steve McQueen could have done this well but Newman is wonderful, his blue eyes the only white thing about him. Despite the brutality of the Apache they are depicted as being more honest than the white man, lacking sophistication in its most negative connotation. Watching a movies about conflict one can allow oneself to simply observe, but more sympathetic people are drawn into the characters. Could you be John Russell and be strong and true despite the prejudice and loathing of the ignorantly bigoted people he finds himself saving, or would you give in, take the easy route and its consequences? A great movie and a metaphor for so much more.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just The Best,
By Bookworm (Yorkshire Dales) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hombre [DVD] [1967] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)
I saw this film first in 1967, and many, many times since, and westerns just don't get better than this. Paul Newman is at his very best, Richard Boone is at his very nastiest (and best), the humour is, like Cool Hand Luke, subtle and funny. If all that is not enough, there is a real story behind it, and the good guy doesn't win. Just like life
What a shame we cannot get it in PAL format
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