Il magnifico fuorilegge

This film is not like your typical Western from the past, it has a very interesting story about the Quantrill Raiders from the South after the Civil war in the states. These Quantrill Raiders were still fighting the Civil War when it was over quite awhile ago, they meet up with Robert Ryan, (Jeff Clanton) a soldier in the Northern Army and he knows most of these Raiders and tries to help them get clemency from their war crimes. The Jesse James gang has joined up with the raiders and Lawrence Tierney, "Dillenger", plays the role of Jesse James. Robert Preston, (Matthew Flower) plays a carpetbagger who runs a Detective Agency and is out to kill Jeff Clanton, who is a lover of his wife, Claire Trevor,(Lily); and knows that Matt Flower is a crooked man out to make himself a fortune on capturing men who are Wanted and cash in on their reward money. Walter Brennan, (Doc Butcher) gives a great supporting role and lots of laughter. Great Western, enjoy.

Don't mistake this for a great or even good movie for a second. It's full of clichés, unrealistic situations, fudged history, characters whose motives and emotions seem to change at the drop of a hat and the ability to travel great distances at light-speed. In short there's absolutely nothing to cement it to anything resembling the real West. What saves it is the fact that it doesn't aspire or even pretend to be a great or good movie. The actors appear to have a good time delivering their silly dialog and hamming it up for the camera. And there's lots of action. People running around, either on foot or on horseback, lots of fistfights, gunfights, chases, robberies, standoffs, etc. etc. etc. And let's not forget the glorious Technicolor. This is one of my favorite parts of the early Technicolor movies. The color wasn't really true to life but boy was it ever brilliant. Claire Trevor never looked better in her red dress, cut low with plenty of cleavage and shoulders exposed. Every one of her outfits was so brilliant it literary jumped off the screen. How such a gorgeous woman ever survived intact in the midst of a bunch of ruffians is a mystery to me but like I said this movie doesn't try to be realistic. So put aside logic and have fun when you watch this. Bear in mind that my low score reflects its artistic merits not its fun factor. Highly recommended.

A routine but intelligent 'A' western set in the aftermath of the Civil War with a supporting cast encompassing sixty years of film history from 'King Kong' to 'Reservoir Dogs'; as well as two former Oscar winners. (One of the Oscar winners is Claire Trevor, practically the only woman in it, second billed but underused, but still seductive in her forties - "Do what I tell you and you'll always go wrong!" - in a rare chance to see her in Technicolor.)

Baby-faced Jack Buetel as Bob Younger was nearing the end of his brief film career (which began as Billy the Kid in 'The Outlaw'); while Robert Preston was still playing moustached weaklings, his peak still some way in the distance.

Best of the Badmen is directed by William D. Russell and written by John Twist and Robert Hardy Andrews. It stars Robert Ryan, Claire Trevor, Robert Preston, Walter Brennan, Bruce Cabot, John Archer and Jack Buetel. It's a Technicolor production with cinematography by Edward Cronjager and music by Paul Sawtell.

"This story tells a forgotten chapter in the violent history of the West. Months after the tragic war between The States had ended there was still no peace on the Western Frontier."

William Russell's Western is an energetic entry into the pantheon of Oaters, it's one that involves the often filmed topic of the Jayhawkers or Bushwhackers who roamed the West causing hurt and pain in the aftermath of the Civil War. Best of the Badmen ropes in the brothers James and Younger, a few other scalawag types (Curly Ringo/Doc Butcher) and gives them a leader in the tall form of Robert Ryan's Jeff Clanton. How and why Clanton, and ex Union Major, joined the Confederate guerrilla unit? Is a nifty bit of story telling that adds a vengeful bite to what otherwise could have been standard B Western formula.

Once motives and character traits are established, film goes about its business with guts and determination. A fight, a pursuit or a sneaky act is never far from the plot, there's even a romantic thread that's not over stretched, allowing the splendidly attired Miss Trevor as the estranged Lilly Fowler to light up the screen. The narrative has some smarts about it, Clanton and his gang are out to ruin "The Fowler Agency" (an obvious nod to the Pinkerton Agency) which is run by dastardly Matthew Fowler (Preston), but although Clanton wants revenge on Fowler, he's still a good guy at heart and will not let his gang become murderous terrorists. Honour among thieves? Yes indeed, but of course it's not going to be all plain sailing when the group is full of such strong personalities.

Although clearly not an "A" list Western, the cast assembled is approaching "A" list quality. Ryan (The Naked Spur/The Day of the Outlaw/The Wild Bunch) in the genre speaks for itself, but he's also surrounding by an assortment of fine Western and film noir character actors. Preston (This Gun for Hire/Blood on the Moon), Trevor (Key Largo/Man Without a Star) and Brennan (Red River/My Darling Clementine), all deliver the expected committed performance. One of the film's weaknesses is under using some of the secondary performers, especially Lawrence Tierney (Dillinger/Born to Kill), who as Jesse James only gets a couple of lines! However, Bruce Cabot (King Kong/Fury) and John Archer (White Heat) do get to earn their pay. Rounding out the noticeable bad guys are Robert Wilke (High Noon/Night Passage), Jack Buetel (The Outlaw), Tom Tyler (Blood on the Moon) and John Cliff (River of No Return).

There's some distracting back screen work within the piece, and Cronjager's photography never gets a chance to shine, the latter not helped by a standard print of the film that needs a good scrub up. But the cast, story, action and execution of said story, definitely make this a better than average Western. 7/10

Well-stocked Western, full of plot, divided loyalties and shifting alliances. After the war, Union Major Robert Ryan processes amnesty for Confederate raiders led by Bruce Cabot. Trouble is that carpetbagger detective agency led by Preston wants the ex-Confederates' and Ryan's hides. Add Claire Trevor as Preston's ex-wife, and a number of subplots, and you've got plenty of story.

The powerfully intense Ryan holds the many threads together and is near the peak of his exceptionally fine career. The cast here is unusual, featuring a number of former leading men, such as Cabot, Tierney, Preston, and the one-shot Buetel best known for camp classic The Outlaw (1943). And, of course, there's a crusty old Walter Brennan adding color as veterinarian and ex- horse thief Doc Butcher (not the best name for a doctor).

Obscure director William Russell has a nice eye for location landscapes that, at times, are quite striking. The movie's at its best, I think, when Ryan is interacting with the Confederates. It's a nice study in wary respect among macho men. I could have done without Trevor's subplot, but at least it's woven believably into the main plot. However, after the big build-up, I thought the final shoot-out was rather anemic and disappointing. Nonetheless, the movie holds interest throughout, (especially the fine first part), with a number of colorful characters, scenic vistas, and more story conflicts than usual.