The Rifleman (TV Series) The Martinet (1960) User Reviews

A man seeks revenge for his son's death

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 19 April 2013]

Capt. Josiah Perry, a strict army officer, had two sons. He has found out that one of his sons had been killed in North Fork so he goes and ask the other son to ride with him to revenge the son's death. But the living son, Ben Perry, tells him that he is not going. This upsets the Captain and he tells Ben that he no longer has a living son.

When the Captain gets to North Fork he finds out that the person that killed his son was Lucas McCain. It seems that his son was a bandit and forced Lucas into a fight. However, the Captain does not want to hear the circumstance of the killing. He is only after revenge for his son's death.

Captain Perry will face down Lucas but not before his other son Ben makes the trip. Ben has a secret that he needs to tell his father but no one is sure that the strict military man will see his fault.

Another nice moral story that proves that Lucas and Mark's relationship is special. Perhaps the Captain and his son can see their relationship based on love and not discipline. Good Watch.

Father to Father

[gordonl56 · 7/10 · 3 October 2013]

THE RIFLEMAN –The Martinet - 1960 Chuck Connors headlines this western series that ran for 168 episodes. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle. This of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.

An US Cavalry officer, John Hoyt, comes to North Fork looking for answers to the death of his son. The son turns out to have been an outlaw, who had been dispatched by Chuck Connors in a gun battle the year before.

When Hoyt discovers who it was that killed his boy, he goes after Connors. Connors manages to disarm Hoyt when he draws on Connors. Town Sheriff, Paul Fix slaps Hoyt in jail for the night to cool off. Hoyt tells Fix he regrets his actions and promises to leave town.

Fix takes the man at his word and releases Hoyt. Needless to say Hoyt is full of it and rides out to Connors' ranch. Entering the picture now is Don Dubbins. Dubbins is Hoyt's other son who has ridden after his father to stop him. Hoyt is annoyed at the world since one son, became an outlaw, and the other, Dubbins, a minister. Hoyt had wanted both to follow him into the Army.

Hoyt reaches Connors' ranch and calls him out. Connors will not play Hoyt's game and fires at the feet of Hoyt's horse. The startled animal throws its rider and Connors disarms Hoyt. Dubbins is also now at the ranch and finally talks some sense into his father. Hoyt sees what an idiot he has been and tells Connors he is sorry.

Not great, but an okay episode of the popular western series that ran from 1958 to 1963. (b/w)

Two fathers two sons and a hard life lesson

[frank4122 · 10/10 · 27 June 2020]

"I can't speak for Lon-" Ben started. But his father quickly interrupted him. "No you can't. Lon's dead," This sets the story of Capt. Josiah Perry (John Hoyt) as a man full of vengeance who seeks the killer of his son. This is a great episode from a great series. Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford were lifelong friends which mirrors their wonderful chemistry on screen. Paul Fix is perfect as the sheriff and was a wonderful actor in numerous western movies. Don Dubbins comes on strong at the beginning and even stronger at the end. His secret, if revealed would incur the wrath of his father.