Mister Horn

Sorry, but this film is not the most historical film made concerning Tom Horn. Not one authoritative source on Geronimo--neither Davis's autobiography nor Angie Debo's definitive biography nor any other--state that Horn had anything to do with capturing Geronimo; he wasn't even on the massive U.S. campaign, let alone serve as the one to bring the Apache in (the 1993 movie GERONIMO with Jason Patric probably portrays the capture most accurately). So this movie's whole first half is all largely fiction, based probably on the lies and tall tales the real Tom Horn liked to claim for himself (on a side note to this, John Dehner plays an unsympathetic Horn-like character in the Burt Lancaster movie APACHE, with John McIntyre as Al Sieber). The second half is little better; General Crook, for instance, shows up in a time period when historically he was long already dead.

That said, I must say I enjoy this TV movie a good deal and wish that it would get released. It deserves a viewing...but don't confuse it with history.

Now, I'm no expert on this gentleman, but fact, fiction or a combination of both (most likely) it is still superior effort from David Carradine in the title role as this pioneering individual whose versatility saw him carry out a wide range of jobs sometimes for and sometimes against Uncle Sam. Abetted by his cranky sidekick Al Sieber (Richard Widmark) this tall tale involves them both in just about every event from this period of expansionist American history from Geronimo to the railroads. It's quite a well slung together western adventure, there is plenty of action and for people who neither know (nor care) about the actual timeline of the events or the characters, it is just an opportunity to see both actors turn in strong performances, and to gel well together in a well paced, better looking television movie. The settings give the photographer every opportunity to convey the grandeur and the hostility of this epic environment, too. The film is way, way too long - it felt like a three parter rolled into one (perhaps it was?) with a dialogue that is pretty ropey at times - there are times when it isn't the most audible either, which is odd given it was made for a small screen with a speaker the size of a cigarette box. Still, it is an interesting template for the real adventures of a man who was one of those who made America what it became...

Carradine is remarkable as he becomes Tom Horn and Widmark Playing a crippled up old scout was magnificent.Supporting cast and direction were top drawer. No movie was better made than than this TV endeaver.I can never forget Widmark saying to Mr. Horn " My good leg is now my bad leg".