Wild Rovers [DVD] [1971] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is a remastered version of the movie, and is more in line with what the director wanted it to be. Basically it's a morality tale of how crime doesn't pay, but the depth of characterisation and plot give it so much more. The opening scene where dawn breaks has remained in my memory for years: it's cinema at it's finest.
Blake Edwards only made one western, which is a shame, as I think that this film shows graphically how harsh that way of life life could be. Unlike most Hollywood westerns Wild Rovers has a downbeat ending that is in keeping with the story. There are no winners here: this is a neglected film classic that is well worth watching. William Holden's performance is outstanding.

Two cowboys, a fifty-ish cowpoke (William Holden) and a 20 something kid (Ryan O'Neal), decide to break away from the ranch where they work and rob a bank and then head for Mexico. But the indignant ranch owner (Karl Malden) vows to track them down and bring them to justice at all costs. One can see what director Blake Edwards is trying to do but he just can't make it work. To be fair, the film was reputedly altered by MGM against Edwards' wishes. But based on what we have, I'm not sure it would have worked anyway. The film seems a patchwork from other better westerns. There's the male bonding between the two leads taken from the Howard Hawks westerns, the comedic barroom brawls from the John Ford westerns, the slow motion violence of the Sam Peckinpah westerns, the brooding resignation of the Anthony Mann westerns etc. The craggy faced Holden seems born to the saddle but O'Neal comes across as too Malibu for the Old West. The handsome wide screen exteriors (including Monument Valley where Ford shot many of his classic westerns) are by Philip Lathrop (THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY?) and there's an excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith. With Tom Skerritt, Rachel Roberts, Joe Don Baker, Lynn Carlin, Leora Dana, Moses Gunn and James Olson.

The Warners Archive MOD DVD is a decent transfer and includes the overture, intermission, entr'acte and exit music.

This movie was first released in 1971(2011) in Widescreen 2.4.1, Metrocolour and runs 137 minutes. The sound and picture quality are very good. The only extra is a fullscreen 1.33.1 short trailor. The film starts at dawn, as the sun is just rising and 2 cowboys come in from their night rounds looking after the cattle. It is breakfast time and all cowboys have their breakfast in a large hall. Meanwhile Walt Buckman (KARL MALDEN) and his 2 sons John Buckman(TOM SKERRITT) and Paul Buckman(JOE DON BAKER) are also having their breakfast and discussing their cattle and grass. Later Walt and all his cowboys ride to the plains where he directs them into different directions. Amongst them are Ross Bodine (WILLIAM HOLDEN) and Frank Post(RYAN O'NEAL). After the death of one of the cowboys, Barnie Drago, in a horse accident, and working hard whole day, Frank(25yrs) suggests to Ross (50Yrs) to rob a bank and have good life in Mexico. So one night, they go to Joe Billing (JAMES OLSON) banker and kidnap him. Ross goes to town with Joe and Frank stays with Sada Billing(LYNN CARLING) and family, guarding them. That night Walt's 2 sons also go to town. John sees Ross with Joe, who is also riding Frank's horse. On the way back Ross's horse s mauled by a Mountain Cat. They take Joe's horse. Frank's horse, Charlie Boy, had bolted towards the ranch and Walt sees this. Ross and Frank had stolen $36,000. Ross leaves $3000 at Joe's house and his wife Sada wants to keep it all. Joe goes to town and tells Sheriff Bill(VICTOR FRENCH), that the bank had been robbed. Walt had also gone to town and wants a posse together and the robbers caught. Walt sends his 2 sons along with sheriff and tells them to bring the robbers back dead or alive. Frank and Ross arrive at Ben's (MOSES GUNN) house. Captain Ross and sergeant Ben had been in the army together. Ross tell's Ben, that they had robbed the bank last night and wanted to buy his mule.
How will it end? Will sheriff and the Buckman boys catch up with Ross and Frank? What else can Walt do? Will Ross and Frank stick together? What will they do with the money? Will they get themselves another horse? Will they manage to reach Mexico?
This story of BLAKE EDWARDS is beautifully photographed in Widescreen and Metrocolour by PHILIP LATHROP and slowly directed by BLAKE EDWARDS. The film could have been made shorter and without a long intermission. William Holden, Ryan O'Neal and Karl Malden give good performances. There is also good music score by Jerry Goldsmith.
WILLIAM HOLDEN (WILLIAM FRANKLIN BEEDLE Jr) was born on 17.4.1918 in O'Fallon, Illinois. He was raised in a Methodist Church, as his family were of English descent. After school, he got involved in local radio plays. In 1937, he was spotted by Paramount Pictures. His film debut was in 1938 -'Prison Farm'. He did many films. His final film was S.O.B (1981). He was married to actress ARDIS ANKERSON(Brenda Marshall) from 1941, but devorced in 1971. They had 2 sons - 'Peter'(1943) and 'Scott'(1946). Holden also partly owned 'Mount Kenya Safari Club' in NANYUKI, Kenya(1959). He suffered from alcoholism. He was found dead on 12.11.1981, aged 63, intoxicated, had a fall, cut himself and bled to death.
Some of his films are:-
(1) Arizona, 1940
(2) Texas, 1941
(3) The Man From Colorado, 1948
(4) Streets of Laredo, 1949
(5) Union Station, 1950
(6) Escape From Fort Bravo, 1953
(7) The Horse Soldiers, 1959
(8) The Lion, 1962
(9) The Wild Bunch, 1969
(10)Ashanti, 1979
Watch and ENJOY.