La fureur des hommes

I have to concur with most of the comments made by past reviewers. This film, starring underused actors Don Murray and Diane Varsi backed by outstanding support by fine character actors like R.G. Armstrong, Chill Wills, Adolfo Acosta and a young Dennis Hopper among others, is a tense film with many nuances. One thing I would love to be able to ask Hathaway. There is a one second scene of comic relief in this movie. Hathaway directs a scene of a cattle stampede coming directly at the viewer. Suddenly there is a full screen shot of actor Jack Elam's inimitable face with a look of horror on it because he is a cowboy in the path of the stampede! This is his only role in the film and he is not credited. I'd love to know the story on that scene. See this movie. Edk313@hotmail.com

I found this not bad at all, and was a little surprised that it was made in 1958; somehow it had a late sixties' feel to it. The strong point was R G Armstrong's patriarchal father with a curious sense of justice; having caught up with the fugitive Murray, he gives him a horse to replace the one his son had shot and then gives him a headstart before renewing the chase. The worst part was the cloying, instant romance between Murray and tomboy Varsi.

Incidentally, previous commentator edk313 reckons he spotted "Jack Elam's inimitable face with a look of horror on it because he is a cowboy in the path of the stampede! This is his only role in the film and he is not credited. I'd love to know the story on that scene." In the version I've just seen on British TV I didn't spot Elam, the only casualty of the stampede being one of Armstrong's sons. But it was quite common for film-makers of this period to borrow footage from another film for a battle or similar "big" scene; however, the footage of the pony stampede in FHTT does look as it was shot as part of the film.

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.

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.

This western has all the elements that make it highly watchable. It is fast paced and full of action, has interesting characters you care about and romance but not too much and good plotting. The casting is excellent especially with Murray in the lead and one has to wonder why it is sitting on a shelf somewhere while lesser films are on video and TV and shown repeatedly. The unavailability of this film and other good films make me wonder what the selection process involves and who makes the decisions that govern what we ultimately view. There are not many votes for "From Hell To Texas" but in my opinion that is because many have never had the chance to view it in the first place. On the other hand many mediocre films have many votes probably because they are available rather than of quality. I can think of at least half a dozen films that fall in the same category. There should be some better method of resurrecting films like "From Hell To Texas" so that generations behind me can at least have the opportunity to know that a film like this even exists.