John Chisum, as we learn early on, is an amalgamation of many sorts of characters that John Wayne played over his 40-something year career. He's a basic good guy who used to seek revenge, but now seeks only justice as he has learned that the price of revenge is usually destruction. With the powerful Forrest Tucker ("F-Troop's" hero and "Auntie Mame's" leading man) as the town villain causing trouble among the cattle men, Wayne and his brood (which includes Billy the Kid) set out to take him and his men down any way they can. Wayne wants to bring in the law to do it legally, while Geoffrey Deuel (as a very likable Billy the Kid) reads the wrong passages of the bible given to him and decides his way (murder) is the only way.
This western starts off with a rousing title song saluting the hero, utilizing fascinating artwork over the credits to show him in his various exploits. A fascinating group of characters (both fact and fiction) come in to give this rousing western a bit more heart than normal, particularly, the gentle rancher played by Patric Knowles who gives Billy the Kid a bible with a special inscription. This father-like character makes the legendary outlaw stand out with many different facets as he takes revenge out of grief when Knowles is shot down by Tucker's men.
Glenn Corbett is also very notable as Pat Garrett, an irony considering the later unrelated western "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" was probably in pre-production at the time. A minor subplot concerning Wayne's niece gives his character more heart, but fortunately doesn't boggle down the story here with unnecessary romance. The final shootout (which also includes a memorable cow stampede) is excitingly filmed, although the use of violence is much greater than normal. The shot of Wayne on his horse at the end is also quite memorable. Overall, this is quite a memorable film, and the title song, while no Oscar Winner, will linger on in your memory long after the movie is over.
This western starts off with a rousing title song saluting the hero, utilizing fascinating artwork over the credits to show him in his various exploits. A fascinating group of characters (both fact and fiction) come in to give this rousing western a bit more heart than normal, particularly, the gentle rancher played by Patric Knowles who gives Billy the Kid a bible with a special inscription. This father-like character makes the legendary outlaw stand out with many different facets as he takes revenge out of grief when Knowles is shot down by Tucker's men.
Glenn Corbett is also very notable as Pat Garrett, an irony considering the later unrelated western "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" was probably in pre-production at the time. A minor subplot concerning Wayne's niece gives his character more heart, but fortunately doesn't boggle down the story here with unnecessary romance. The final shootout (which also includes a memorable cow stampede) is excitingly filmed, although the use of violence is much greater than normal. The shot of Wayne on his horse at the end is also quite memorable. Overall, this is quite a memorable film, and the title song, while no Oscar Winner, will linger on in your memory long after the movie is over.