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Lawman
1971 99 min United States of America R 0+
★6.8
Western
Director: Michael Winner
Trailers
Description
While passing through the town of Bannock, a bunch of drunken cattlemen go overboard with their celebrating and accidentally kill an old man with a stray shot. They return home to Sabbath unaware of his death. Bannock lawman Jered Maddox later arrives there to arrest everyone involved on a charge of murder. Sabbath is run by land baron Vince Bronson, a benevolent despot, who, upon hearing of the death, offers restitution for the incident.
Budget:
$3M
US Gross:
$5.94M
Starring
Burt Lancaster
Actor
Robert Ryan
Actor
Lee J. Cobb
Actor
Key opinion
Lawman is a gritty, morally complex Western that benefits from a formidable ensemble cast and a high-quality production. While some critics praise its thoughtful examination of law versus vengeance, others argue the plot is derivative and burdened by excessive dialogue.
| Acting | Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, and Lee J. Cobb deliver commanding performances that lend weight to their respective characters. | |
| Production | The film utilizes authentic Durango, Mexico locations and solid production design to craft a convincing atmosphere for the Old West. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively deconstructs traditional tropes by blurring the line between the lawman’s justice and the brutality of the criminals he pursues. | |
| Screenplay | Critics are divided on the film's writing, with some appreciating the thoughtful dialogue and others feeling it is excessive and dilutes the narrative's engagement. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's structure differ; some view it as a well-crafted tribute to the genre, while others find the pacing overlong and the plot derivative. |