In 1913 Oklahoma, Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway) explores for oil with a wildcat derrick and will not sell out to Pan Oklahoma Oil and Gas (PanOkie). Why a large corporation wants her single unit is unspecified. Her only allies are her neglectful father Cleon (John Mills), grungy drifter Noble "Mase" Mason (George C. Scott), and Indian Jimmy (Rafael Campo). Now Lena makes it perfectly clear that she has no love for men (and even women). But she recognizes that she will need help to defend her derrick. PanOkie has hired hooligan Hellman (Jack Palance) to scare her out.
Now Director Stanley Kramer makes it interesting. The large company offers her $5,000, a large sum in those days, plus 10% profit on any oil find. Then again, oil is black gold. Hellman explains to Lena that the company makes a profit if just two of a thousand derricks strike soil. After Lena refuses to sell, she and her friends are beaten, and the Indian killed. They lose control of the property temporarily. One wonders if there is a sheriff in town, because after all it is 1913, not 1883! Anyway, the local lawyer is of little help as he explains that the big companies own the legal systems. Then the good guys counterattack and retake the property in an offensive that has comedic overtones. Then when the big oil buckos return in force, they are routed with grenades. Later, though, Hellman's men begin to shoot with rifles anyone that climbs the derrick, which had become temporarily disabled. Cleon perishes. Again, where is the law? Meanwhile Lena's relationship with Mase has softened. Hostility has morphed into respect, affection, and even love. Then the so-called strike happens, and some folks are covered with black goo. But then again it is just an oil bust, and everyone merely goes home oil-soaked like nothing harrowing has happened. Maybe Lena should have sold out to Pan Okie and made some nice cash, but then again there is the matter of principle.
The movie's positives include good production values, beautiful cinematography, and effective acting by the leads. There is nice attention to period details, like the recreation of a pre-World War I muddy Oklahoma town. The enjoyable music is by Henry Mancini and the pleasant theme song is performed by Anne Murray ("Send a Little Love My Way"). Both Mancini and Hal David (who wrote the song lyrics) were nominated for Golden Globe awards.
Now Director Stanley Kramer makes it interesting. The large company offers her $5,000, a large sum in those days, plus 10% profit on any oil find. Then again, oil is black gold. Hellman explains to Lena that the company makes a profit if just two of a thousand derricks strike soil. After Lena refuses to sell, she and her friends are beaten, and the Indian killed. They lose control of the property temporarily. One wonders if there is a sheriff in town, because after all it is 1913, not 1883! Anyway, the local lawyer is of little help as he explains that the big companies own the legal systems. Then the good guys counterattack and retake the property in an offensive that has comedic overtones. Then when the big oil buckos return in force, they are routed with grenades. Later, though, Hellman's men begin to shoot with rifles anyone that climbs the derrick, which had become temporarily disabled. Cleon perishes. Again, where is the law? Meanwhile Lena's relationship with Mase has softened. Hostility has morphed into respect, affection, and even love. Then the so-called strike happens, and some folks are covered with black goo. But then again it is just an oil bust, and everyone merely goes home oil-soaked like nothing harrowing has happened. Maybe Lena should have sold out to Pan Okie and made some nice cash, but then again there is the matter of principle.
The movie's positives include good production values, beautiful cinematography, and effective acting by the leads. There is nice attention to period details, like the recreation of a pre-World War I muddy Oklahoma town. The enjoyable music is by Henry Mancini and the pleasant theme song is performed by Anne Murray ("Send a Little Love My Way"). Both Mancini and Hal David (who wrote the song lyrics) were nominated for Golden Globe awards.