Molly and Lawless John

Bad-boy Sam Elliott sweet-talks the sheriff's unappreciated wife into helping him escape from jail. Their resulting flight across desert country tends to be slow-moving and without any points of great interest but the open scenery effectively accentuates the isolation of the two individuals and Vera Miles as the wife gives the film a touch of depth as an older woman who -- unloved at home -- falls for the manipulations of a younger man. The studios just saw Sam Elliott as a hunk of hairy "beefcake" at this point so he's required to do little more than look good when he strips to the waist, something he does with pleasing regularity. Suggested alternate title: "Molly and Shirtless John." (Alas, both VHS and DVD editions of this movie are of second-rate visual quality.)

The title, "Molly and Lawless John," reveals the plot of this underrated 1972 Western: A doomed-to-be-hanged Outlaw (Sam Elliott) escapes jail, taking the love-starved wife of the sheriff with him. Their misadventures ensue. John Anderson plays the sheriff.

While this is a low-budget Western, the filmmakers take advantage of their resources to produce a low-key adult Western that touches greatness. Despite the limited funds, the movie effectively supplies many of the typical Western staples, like a bank robbery, a jailbreak, posse chases, a sojourn through the desert, a watering hole, a Native American attack-and-capture sequence and magnificent New Mexican locations. Take, for instance, the Indian segment: Only a handful of Natives appear in the cast, but the filmmakers give the illusion of an entire tribe.

Yet it's the story itself where this Western shines. Despite the generally slow-moving drama, the movie maintains your attention with great performances and interesting psychological subtexts. Vera Miles is outstanding in the titular role as the gentle, humble, modest, compassionate and daring Molly. The ages of the cast members match the details of the story pretty well: Vera, as the childless wife, was 42 during filming while Sam Elliott was 27; and the stunning Cynthia Myers was only 21 in her brief and final role (remember her from the notorious "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" from 1970?). Myers was easily one of the most beautiful women to walk the earth at the time.

By the way, if you're thinking about viewing "Molly and Lawless John" expecting the typical amiable Sam Eliott Westerner, look elsewhere. Again, the title of the film tells all.

The film runs 98 minutes.

GRADE: A-

PS: People complain about the DVD because it's full-screen and the picture quality supposedly isn't up to snuff but, despite the full-screen presentation, I thought it looked fine for such an obscure Western; and I didn't have a problem making out what was going on in the dark jail, pueblo or cave. The filmmakers were shooting for realistic lighting and they did a fine job.

Middle-aged Vera Miles is married to a bland, somewhat domineering sheriff and longs for love and self-esteem. She succumbs to the oily charm of young murderous stud Sam Elliot, a "guest" at her husband's jail.

She frees him and together they flee. However, she soon finds that life on the lam is no life at all and that her new love might not be the misunderstood romantic she thought he was.

A satisfying low-budget frontier drama/adventure, Elliot and Miles deliver good performances and are well cast as the naive Molly and the vile John.

Of interest is the chance to see a young Sam Elliot in a central role, long before he perfected his unmistakable western drawl. Here he sounds like a California surfer!

Overall, a good effort. It's too bad though, that the great character actor Clu Gulager is wasted on a small role as a grungy sheriff's deputy.

About the only reason anyone would watch this 50 year old film is Sam Elliott. If you are a Sam fan (I am) you will have added a star or two to your rating. There were some good scenes, viewed in isolation. But stringing them together we're left to wonder whether about characters' motivations from one scene to the next--especially Sam/John. Anyone looking for hidden treasure here should remember that this film was made when drive-in theaters were popular, and recreational drugs were gaining in popularity.

I came upon this little old Western because I like Sam Elliot in just about anything I see. I think he is a fine actor, underrated by many as just a one character actor. This early one proves them wrong. I thought that this movie had an early tone of the current independent movies being made. Also a little of a European quality to the way it was presented. Quiet, not a lot of background music. Sometimes seemingly slow, but well paced and always going somewhere. Sam Elliot's character of Johnny, was wonderfully played. We don't know him in the beginning, only his reputation. He reveals himself verbally at first, and by his actions as the movie progresses. Vera Miles as Molly, was so touching. A woman self described as once bright and fun when she was young, now afraid to speak. Her hopes and dreams gone with the dust of the town and aging without the much wanted children. Her husband, Marvin is the Sheriff. Softly played by John Anderson, he shows us how hard life has made him, and later his true caring underneath. This is a great script. It is about selfishness, and selflessness; the inability to change, and the ability to change; needing protection, and the empowering chance to protect. They just used a Western set as a backdrop. I wish that this great little movie could find wider distribution now with videos. I thought it was truly well played and well made!!