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Michael Winner directs veterans Robert Ryan, Burt Lancaster and Lee J. Cobb in this western set in Mexico. Marshal Jered Maddox (Lancaster) is a ruthless and dedicated lawman. When a bunch of cowboys on a drunken spree accidentally kill an old man, Maddox pursues them to the town of Sabbath, where the group's leader (Lee J. Cobb) appeals to the local Marshal (Robert Ryan) for arbitration.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By "john89521"
An uncompromising Lawman sets out to bring to trial a bunch of cowhands who shot up his town and killed an old man while he was away.
Lancaster plays 'Maddox' the Lawman set on bringing the men to trial. 'Cotten Ryan' played by Robert Ryan is excellent as the 'bought' town Sheriff, himself a Lawman of some reput who has had enough 'gun play' and opted for the quite life.
In this film you have a range of cowboy types, the young kid, the rough and ready hired hands, the ranch owner and his hard headed brother 'Harv'.
The gun play at the end of this film is the most intense confrontion ever filmed, you feel each characters emotions as if they were your own.
This is a film which deserves more acclaim.
JJ
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
If nothing else, Lawman proves that there is such a thing as a script so good that not even Michael Winner could screw it up, although having an excellent cast doesn't hurt. Burt Lancaster is the lawman of the title, determined to bring in several cattlemen (Robert Duvall among them) only to find that the local boss Lee J. Cobb owns the town and its once famous, now cowardly world-weary sheriff Robert Ryan, who all but steals the film. Curiously, Ryan far preferred this film to The Wild Bunch, though that may be down to Winner's deference to his stars compared with the thoroughly miserable time he had working with Peckinpah (there's another Peckinpah connection in composer Jerry Fielding, who contributes a good, brooding score). Joseph Wiseman, Richard Jordan, Albert Salmi and Sheree North are also thrown into the mix, and surprisingly all of them have well defined characters in what becomes an increasingly complex morality play about the void between what's legal and what's practical as Lancaster begins to realize that his strict adherence to the letter of the law has left him with nothing else in his life.
At times Gerald Wilson's script is perhaps a tad overwritten - everyone gets their big scene explaining their worldview, with no-one truly bad, merely weak - but it's a forgivable weakness. Winner's not quite as overly reliant on crash zooms as usual, though his characteristic laziness does manifest itself in one scene that has characters ride up to Cobb's house in darkness and come into the room in daylight, but for someone like Winner that's almost verging on the competent by his standards. Be warned that the UK DVD release is slightly cut to remove an offending illegal horse fall.
At times Gerald Wilson's script is perhaps a tad overwritten - everyone gets their big scene explaining their worldview, with no-one truly bad, merely weak - but it's a forgivable weakness. Winner's not quite as overly reliant on crash zooms as usual, though his characteristic laziness does manifest itself in one scene that has characters ride up to Cobb's house in darkness and come into the room in daylight, but for someone like Winner that's almost verging on the competent by his standards. Be warned that the UK DVD release is slightly cut to remove an offending illegal horse fall.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Lawman was seen in early 70's when I was too young but i tell you Burt Lancaster left a lasting impression on me which I remember it till today whenever i think of this movie-so you can imagine 35 yrs is a long time but not enough for this movie is too good, specially with the very outstanding cast -such as Robert Ryan and Lee J Cobb and Robert Duvall. it is a must see movie for the lovers of Western movies.I am glad it came on dvd,and i grabbed it as soon it came.
Amazon Verified Purchase
I thought this was a good film. A really good western. You cannot tell where it's going.Great ending. Fair price.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
This is a top class Western filled with great characters, a great story and fine direction from Michael Wimmer. Lancaster plays a hard as nails Lawman who is hot on the heals of villian Lee J. Cobb.
Any western fan will enjoy this action packed film from start to finnish and its all made that little bit more enjoyable by Jerry Fieldings rousing score.
Any western fan will enjoy this action packed film from start to finnish and its all made that little bit more enjoyable by Jerry Fieldings rousing score.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By B. Mclean
This is one of the best westerns I have seen, the west as it really was, with Burt Lancaster acting the part as a non conforming lawman.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By john davies
One of Burt Lancasters Westerns with a lot of grit.This film has a great deal of drama and intelligent,thought-provoking pieces , all rolled together to hold an audience for the full run of the film. Good action with many good actors all giving their best performances. This is one to watch for all the western fans.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
With the recent death of Michael Winner (1/21/13), I decided to go back and revisit several of his movies (which I have done on many occasions) and the one that always makes the biggest impression is LAWMAN. When I first saw it on the big screen back in 1971, I was impressed with the big name cast (Burt Lancaster, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Ryan), the number of American TV regulars (Ralph Waite, J.D. Cannon, Albert Salmi) and absolutely stunned by the finale. Now many years later I'm still impressed but somewhat saddened by Gerald Wilson's screenplay especially now with the U.S.Congress constantly at an impasse and the rampart gun violence that is everywhere around us. It seems that we have gone backwards since 1971 not forward. As that statement implies, LAWMAN is no mere Western. It's a morality play about the inability to compromise and its inevitable consequences.
Burt Lanaster, one of Hollywood's most unabashed liberals, was immediately drawn to the script of a no-nonsense marshal who never deviates from the letter of the law no matter what the cost. In the beginning we admire his refusal to be corrupted by bribes and his determination to bring in the lawbreakers who shot up his town. By the end we hate him. His unwillingness to yield or compromise has cost the lives of many men. Of course cattleman Lee J. Cobb & his men could have willingly gone with Lancaster knowing that they would have gotten off with a slap on the wrist but he too is unwilling to compromise thus setting the stage for the tragic conclusion. Although tame by today's standards, the violent finale remains unsettling for its implications which are left up to the viewer.... Read more ›
Burt Lanaster, one of Hollywood's most unabashed liberals, was immediately drawn to the script of a no-nonsense marshal who never deviates from the letter of the law no matter what the cost. In the beginning we admire his refusal to be corrupted by bribes and his determination to bring in the lawbreakers who shot up his town. By the end we hate him. His unwillingness to yield or compromise has cost the lives of many men. Of course cattleman Lee J. Cobb & his men could have willingly gone with Lancaster knowing that they would have gotten off with a slap on the wrist but he too is unwilling to compromise thus setting the stage for the tragic conclusion. Although tame by today's standards, the violent finale remains unsettling for its implications which are left up to the viewer.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CLASSIC WESTERN
A great western,Burt Lancaster has never been better.A cold hard merciless "killer of men" as he descibes himself in one scene. Read more
Published 4 months ago by old groaner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Laying down the Law - it's what this badge and gun is for
Although western fans regard this as a classic of the genre, i've been reluctant to purchase it because I'm not a big fan of Burt Lancaster's acting; and Michael Winner - it's... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Brian V. Burford
4.0 out of 5 stars
dvd
Bought as a gift. Easy to find on amazon despite it being an old film. Arrived quickly in the post.
Published 18 months ago by ramgib
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Determined Lancaster
This is the best kind of western. It features all the ingrediants a good western needs. The film has a proper traditional feel yet also has elements of violent 70's thrillers such... Read more
Published on 11 May 2011 by j.r
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good but Violent Western
Lawman is a good but violent western starring Burt Lancaster as a sheriff seeking the perpertrators of a killing in his town. Read more
Published on 1 April 2011 by HBH
2.0 out of 5 stars
poor western
This is not in the league of classic westerns, overtly dull, poor story, full of cliches, lots of gratuitous violence seen once and not worth watching again.
Published on 24 Aug 2009 by Richard
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK
This movie seemed to be between the old style westerns and the late 60s, early 70s films.
Published on 27 Nov 2005
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