La fureur des hommes

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.

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

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.

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.

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