Release Date : January 27, 1939 Genres: Western, Drama Duration: 1h 46m
Rating: 3/5
Director
Henry King
Writer
Nunnally Johnson
Produced by
Darryl F. Zanuck, Nunnally Johnson
Stars
Tryrone Power, Henry Fonda, Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott
Cinematography
George Barnes, W. Howard Greene
Edited by
Barbara McLean
Music by
Louis Silvers
Production Design by
Production companies
20th Century Fox
Major Rufus Cobb: [standing over Mrs. Samuel’s body] There’s no use. She’s dead. This is bad! Mighty bad! I’m sure sorry!
Barshee: Well, I’m sorry too!
Major Rufus Cobb: Oh, I wasn’t talking about her. She’s gone. It’s you I’m sorry fer.
What is it about
Railroad agents evict the James brothers from their farm and kill their mother. In order to avenge their mother’s death, Jesse and Frank set out to rob banks and trains.
Thumbs up
Western setting Lead Cast
Thumbs down
Final verdict
A good watch for old movie lovers, especially for the western aficionados. Probably one of the first outlaw films, a wronged common man forced to take law in his own hands.
Release Date : June 20, 1980 Genres: Action, Crime, Drama Duration: 1h 40m
Rating: 3/5
Director
Brian Helgeland
Writer
Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes
Produced by
Bruce Davey
Stars
Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, David Paymer
Cinematography
Ericson Core
Edited by
Kevin Stitt
Music by
Chris Boardman, Scott Stambler (Director’s cut)
Production Design by
John Myhre
Production companies
Icon Productions
“Be grateful for what you get, rule number one.” – Porter “Not many men know what their life’s worth. I do. Seventy grand. That’s what they took from me. And that’s what I was going to get back.” – Porter
What is it about
Payback is a 1999 American neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by Brian Helgeland in his directorial debut, and starring Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, and David Paymer. It is based on the novel The Hunter by Donald E. Westlake using the pseudonym Richard Stark, which had earlier been adapted into the 1967 film noir classic Point Blank, directed by John Boorman and starring Lee Marvin.
After a successful heist, Porter is left for dead. Once he recovers, he seeks vengeance and wants his share of the money. How much? It doesn’t matter to him. Who is pitted against? Same answer. Will he get out alive? Same answer.
Thumbs up
Mel Gibson Smart Dialogues
Thumbs down
Unnecessary violence
Final verdict
The movie doesn’t disappoint a Mel Gibson fan and provides just about enough to sustain the attention. The role is tailor made for him, and his screen presence allows him to steer through both good and mundane scenes.
Smart writing, decent production design, cinematography and music makes the movie an engaging fare. The blu-ray has a director’s cut and a nice interview with Richard Stark (Donald E.Westlake).
Few tidbits from the bonus features
Writer Richard Stark had a big issue with the name ‘Parker’ as he had to constantly figure out how to use in mundane situations like ‘Parker parked his car’ etc.
In his own words, ‘Dialogue comes first, then characters, and finally situations.’
As per Richard Stark, he mentions that Robert Duvall came the closest in terms of Parker’s portrayal in The Outfit, while acknowledge the fabulous job of Lee Marvin in The Point Blank.
The movie blu-ray has both director’s cut and theatrical cut versions, both are not bad actually.
“When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.” ― The Ugly, ‘The Good The Bad The Ugly’ “People who preach inner drive are dreamers with a lot of ideas and a lot of talk, and zero production.” ― Tim Grover, Author of ‘Relentless‘
