- Script: 7/10 - Alert, quick, witty, funny, some good lines and funny scenes. It is original and fantasist although it misses characterization for at least the main character: Even if the movie is a pleasure to watch, the viewer cannot fully comprehend and experience the reality of those characters for they stay shallow and schematic.
The first 2 acts are very good, interesting and very fun to watch. The 3rd act, like in most movies, is a little disappointing and predictable. It leaves you with the usual feeling that something is missing to make the whole story complete and focused. But still, a very original and sympathetic script by the great John Milius whose whole carrier has somehow been a misfire.
- Direction: 8/10 - John Huston's direction is beautiful, never boring, technically sound, and often purely brilliant. It pastiches the western genre and you can see that the old dinosaur director John Huston has carefully and enthusiastically watched Sergio Leone's movies, and is capable of renewing his own game.
- Music: 7/10 - Maurice Jarre's score is not as worked out as in "Lawrence of Arabia" or "Dr Jivago", but still, simple, touching, personal, sweet and nostalgic: a pleasure.
- Cast: 8/10 - Paul Newman and Victoria Principal are great together, natural, touching, and all the secondary knives are very fun to watch. Only false note: IMO who plays Bad Bob, gives an over the top, hysterical performance that drag down the movie for the 3 minutes he appears on screen. John Huston also makes a mediocre appearance.
- Production: 6,8/10 - Not a lavish production at all, but the simple, beautiful scenery, costumes and sets, will give you this feeling of great old school cinema. The Production design is still a little theatrical and details miss authenticity... but is not Carlo Simi who wants! - Editing: 8/10 - Fluent, simple, discrete, light, and it makes sense at all times. Professional. Special mention for the opening titles: 10/10 – original, spirited and high in color. fabulous! - Subject: 8/10 - a great, original premise. It will remind you that there was a time where people were making original, creative, rich, great movies.
- Personality: 7/10 - agreeable, light hearted provocation. It still misses a little bit of societal statement to really touch you, but here is a very sympathetic movie that plays on the nostalgia for the far gone wild west and its myths. It also has John Milius's macho romantic spirit all over, but with the subtle direction of John Huston. Great! -
- Note in history of genre cinema: 6,9.
- Personal enjoyment of your reviewer: 9/10