Okay Western
Added 6/24/2009
This is the sort of title that, if you see it, you'll have been entertained for about 2 hours. If you don't see it, you've missed nothing.
Widmark is always good, and the usually taciturn Holden (an actor of limited range) shines in his part. I guess I'm agreeing with many other reviewers in that it's the two leads' characters that make it worth watching.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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one of the few quality Civil War movies
Added 3/21/2009
Finally on dvd...This is certainly not a "western" as virtually the entire movie takes place in Virginia...William Holden plays Texas cattleman Alverez Kelly, bringing his large herd of cattle to Virginia to feed the Union army...Richard Widmark is Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter, who is given the mission of stealing the cattle...Kelly is captured by the Confederates and is "persuaded" to train Rossiter's cavalry in the art of cattle-rustling...Holden plays the cynical Kelly very well and Widmark is very good as the gritty Confederate cavalryman...I felt this movie could have been better; however the interaction between the two characters is excellent...I also rated this as a 5 star because Civil War movies are a rarity.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Alvarez Kelly was Mexican?
Added 1/13/2008
I was sleepy when I started watching this movie thinking I was going to fall asleep, but after 15 or 20 minutes I was caught in the story and I remained fully awake during the whole movie. I agree with everybody's reviews posted here. It is a good movie with a good story well told. Based on the true event known as "the Hampton's Cattle Raid" or "The Beefsteak Raid". I am giving the movie 4 stars because fictitious Alvarez Kelly was supposed to be Mexican-Irish and he did not look or sound either Mexican or Irish. Hollywood legend William Holden was too "John Wayne" like. But this is what was working at the time, not exactly OSCAR material, but it sold, this is what characterized the 60's movies. Putting that aside, the movie is enjoyable. My respects to the real cattlemen during the filming of this movie. Thats a lot of cows! The DVD has both full and wide screen, which I always appreciate.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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mature western
Added 2/24/2007
Wonderful adult adventure story with a story that reaches beyond its genre, mixed with subtle humor,an anti-war and anti-hero message, with just enough violence to make it real without making you sick, but no gratuitous sex to help keep the focus of the average 3 1/2-minute attention span. All with a cast that doesn't remind you of your Grade 13 High School class.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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A movie worth watching
Added 3/19/2006
Definitely a good Civil War Western, Alvarez Kelly, brings to the screen the story of an American cattle rancher from Mexico who has been hired to deliver a herd of steers to Union troops taking part in military operations during the late stages of the American Civil War. Things get a bit complicated when the Bluebellies decide that they want the livestock sent to General Grant's army (which is laying siege to Richmond) deep in Grayback territory, instead of the pre-arranged rendezvous point.
The cast carry out their performances very well, though neither the actor, William Holden, nor his character, Alvarez Kelly, are all that wonderful.
Moreover, the title for the movie is not really that great, and the dialogues could have been better too.
Nevertheless, the plot, the setting, the battles and the costumes are all excellent.
Alvarez Kelly brings to life the American Civil War and those desperate moments before the fall of Richmond and the collapse of the Confederacy.
For other wonderful Westerns I would strongly recommend The Outlaw Josey Wales, Major Dundee and The Undefeated.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Okay Western
Added 6/24/2009
This is the sort of title that, if you see it, you'll have been entertained for about 2 hours. If you don't see it, you've missed nothing.
Widmark is always good, and the usually taciturn Holden (an actor of limited range) shines in his part. I guess I'm agreeing with many other reviewers in that it's the two leads' characters that make it worth watching.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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one of the few quality Civil War movies
Added 3/21/2009
Finally on dvd...This is certainly not a "western" as virtually the entire movie takes place in Virginia...William Holden plays Texas cattleman Alverez Kelly, bringing his large herd of cattle to Virginia to feed the Union army...Richard Widmark is Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter, who is given the mission of stealing the cattle...Kelly is captured by the Confederates and is "persuaded" to train Rossiter's cavalry in the art of cattle-rustling...Holden plays the cynical Kelly very well and Widmark is very good as the gritty Confederate cavalryman...I felt this movie could have been better; however the interaction between the two characters is excellent...I also rated this as a 5 star because Civil War movies are a rarity.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Alvarez Kelly was Mexican?
Added 1/13/2008
I was sleepy when I started watching this movie thinking I was going to fall asleep, but after 15 or 20 minutes I was caught in the story and I remained fully awake during the whole movie. I agree with everybody's reviews posted here. It is a good movie with a good story well told. Based on the true event known as "the Hampton's Cattle Raid" or "The Beefsteak Raid". I am giving the movie 4 stars because fictitious Alvarez Kelly was supposed to be Mexican-Irish and he did not look or sound either Mexican or Irish. Hollywood legend William Holden was too "John Wayne" like. But this is what was working at the time, not exactly OSCAR material, but it sold, this is what characterized the 60's movies. Putting that aside, the movie is enjoyable. My respects to the real cattlemen during the filming of this movie. Thats a lot of cows! The DVD has both full and wide screen, which I always appreciate.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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