THE LEGEND - John Wayne is "Chisum"

Starring: John Wayne, Forrest Tucker, Christopher George, Ben Johnson, Glenn Corbett, Andrew Prine, Bruce Cabot, Patric Knowles, Richard Jaeckel, Lynda Day George, Geoffrey Deuel, Pamela McMyler, John Agar, Lloyd Battista, Robert Donner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Sergeant, there's one thing I oughtta tell you - if you lay a hand on White Buffalo again, I'll kill ya'." – John Chisum, whispering to rude cavalry Sgt.

Why watch this? Big John takes on greedy businessmen intent on taking his land. Sign me up!

Plot Summary: In New Mexico of the 1870s, respected cattle baron John Chisum faces off against a corrupt businessman, Lawrence Murphy, who seeks to take over the territory using intimidation and violence. Aided by his ranch hands and the notorious outlaw William "Billy" Bonney, Chisum attempts to use legal means to fight Murphy's ruthless expansion. When this peaceful approach fails, the escalating conflict draws allies, like Pat Garrett, into a final confrontation.

Dad's Preview: My high school, back in Callahan County, Texas, would show a film in the auditorium later in the year. Weary students loved it. Chisum was shown at least two years. Down there, this kind of movie is heritage. And what's not to love? It features heroes and outlaws, fights and romance, saloons and stampedes. Hell, even Billy the Kid shows up! It's big and broad, like the man in the title role. Wayne has his regular crew of supporting actors in tow, including Ben Johnson, Christopher George and Bruce Cabot. All this builds a Western that feels familiar. I will note that the violence is amped up a little, but we didn't care - we just wanted to see The Duke save the day with wit, guns or fists. To young impressionable Texas boys, this was cinematic comfort food.

Batjac Productions; Warner Bros.