Del infierno a Texas

I switched on the TV today and accidentally caught this movie (having missed the first 8 mins) on (Freeview) FilmFour (UK) digital TV channel.

The "info" panel said it was first released in 1958 and directed by Henry Hathaway - a name I recognised from all those movie history books.

All the other reviewers have told all you need to know about the plot. There are no cardboard villains here. One feels empathy for the "bad" guys too!

If you enjoy watching intelligent movies that your parents (or your grandparents) may have enjoyed watching on the big screen in their youth then this is a movie you should try to catch!

Most of Hollywood movies of 90s and '00s seem such forgettable dreck compared with this movie!

Henry Hathaway's westerns are more ambitious than simple action films,their high moral standards favorably compare to those of John Ford ,Henry King or Delmer Dames.At first sight,"from hell to Texas " seems a plea against violence ,but it's not only that.

Although a sharpshooter ,Don Murray's character is nothing more than a child who is clueless.The scenes by the river are revealing:he's a shy prudish lad ,whose only guide is his bible and his mother's photograph .In fact,he's desperately searching for a father.On his way,he will meet two older,wiser men for whom he's only a kid . It's really amazing how much these characters feel the hero's weakness and how they want to protect him.

Another father is his fiercest enemy because this man thinks he's responsible for his son's death.The screenplay smartly avoids the events that led to the chase.

On one hand,a young man trying to find a place he can call home (you do not like solitude,don't you,he says to a horse ),on another a blind father who destroys his family because of a false revenge.

The rebuilding of a family,with ,in parallel ,the nearly destruction of another one.

Perhaps it was because of the title changes, or the lack of availability, or lack of TV time but this fine Western has been all but forgotten. Too bad. It deals with obsession and stubborness and how these decisions lead inexorably to disaster - as administered by Don Murray who really is not the catalyst (that may be disputed by some!). It came out the same time as Bonanza did on TV and yes there is a patriarchical family here too with such as John Larch as the eldest son and Dennis Hopper as the youngest. They both put in their usual fine jobs. This is a disturbing and unpleasant adult movie. I saw it once and never forgot it - and I'm still looking for the VHS.

The stars, Murray & Varsi, are good if a little bland. The old-timers, Wills & Armstrong, steal the show & give the movie some extra flavor. Hopper plays the role of "the youngest son" with the usual angst we have come to expect from him. Nice scenery, simple plot, well-directed. Overall, an enjoyable adult western with lots of shooting. I rate it 8/10.

Tod Lohman is mistakenly believed to have caused the death of a member of the feared Boyd family. He's an honest cowboy but is fully aware that tough guys shoot first and ask questions later. With this in mind he flees southwards in the hope of saving his skin. On his travels he meets and befriends Amos Bradley and his adopted daughter, Juanita, it's a meeting that holds the key to Tod's future.

Henry Hathaway directs this one, and the first thing that sticks out is just how interesting his characters are, this is not just a throwaway Western, it has depth of feeling and lays out a story that isn't purely relying on action to entertain the viewers. That said, Hathaway doesn't skimp on the action scenes, an excellent beef stampede and an Indian pursuit, resplendent with horse jumping heroics, deliver promptly for the discerning action viewer. Based around the novel from Charles O. Locke called The Hell Bent Kid, this adaptation is adroitly telling the story of an honest and naive young man on the lam, it's the naivety of Lohman that gives the picture its emotional heart, all framed excellently by Hathaway in the Alabama Hills vista.

The cast are across the board solid, Don Murray, Chill Wills, Diane Varsi, R.G. Armstrong and a fresh faced Dennis Hopper all earn their respective pay cheques. It's understandably not up to the high standard of Hathaway's big hitters like True Grit and The Sons Of Katie Elder, it is however a picture that is definitely worth checking out if you are given the opportunity. 7/10