The Wild Bunch is another game-changing Western and among the most violent and gritty films for the late 1960s in cinema. “We’ve got to start thinking beyond our guns. Those days are closing fast.” – Pike Bishop (William Holden) This is what I call one of those better-late-than-never viewings. Because of its AFI honors, the film had been on my to-watch list for many years. It’s not particularly a title that’s evaded me especially with…
"The Wild Bunch: A Gritty and Violent Western"Tag: Robert Ryan
The Naked Spur is an Oscar-nominated Western and the third of five Westerns and eight films directed by Mann and starring James Stewart. Screenplay nominations for Westerns were quite rare when the film was released. But sure enough, Sam Rolfe and Harold Jack Bloom’s script earned a nomination. They could have had their military history better researched but it is what it is. In any event, their work would play a tremendous role in redefining…
"The Naked Spur Redefines the Western"
The Dirty Dozen is an epic Oscar-winning World War II thriller and features a star-studded cast in the 1967 big screen adaptation. When the Academy Awards took place in 1968, the film’s only win was for Best Sound Effects aka Sound Editing. It earned three other nominations for Supporting Actor (John Cassavetes), Film Editing, and Sound. In 2001, the film would be honored as one of the top 100 thrillers by the American Film Institute.…
"The Dirty Dozen: An Epic World War II Thriller"
The Oscar-nominated Crossfire deals with racism and antisemitism as the film adapts The Brick Foxhole for the screen. “Well, hate – Monty’s kind of hate – is like a gun. If you carry it around with you, it can go off and kill somebody.” – Captain Finlay (Robert Young) Captain Finlay gets a number of money quotes throughout the film. Sadly, these quotes are still quite relevant today. Here’s one that unfortunately still stands out…
"Crossfire: 1947 Oscar Nominee Deals With Antisemitism"