Madron

I majored in film in college which means I have watched a lot of movies ... all types of movies made by all types of people in all types of places. I have a very open mind towards movies. But Madron left me speechless. Madron could possibly be the worst film I have ever seen, and I have seen some really bad stuff. The best way I can describe Madron is that it's like a 70's porn film, but without the porn. It's poorly constructed, numbingly boring, and crude. Each scene seems like a repeat of the last. Sometimes I like bad movies, because they are so bad they are funny. Madron is not funny, it's sad. The talent has been in other good films though ... so I'm going to have to blame this feature-length mistake on the director and other behind the scenes folks.

I would say the one redeeming characteristic of Madron it is that this film has made me appreciate good movies that I had started to take for granted.

Madron is directed by Jerry Hopper who co-adapts the screenplay with Edward Chappell from a story written by Leo McMahon. It stars Richard Boone, Leslie Caron and Gabi Amrani. Filmed in Israel and Hollywood, cinematography is by Marcel Grignon and Adam Greenbereg and music is by Riz Ortolani.

A nun (Caron) survives a wagon train massacre and teams up with a gunslinger (Boone) in a battle for survival.

I'd like to say that the fact the similar themed Two Mules for Sister Sarah was released the same year is the reason this is little known. But that simply isn't true. For Madron (AKA: His Name Was Madron) is a poor movie, saved from stinker damnation by Boone's fun performance as the grizzled title character. Film consists of Boone and Caron trekking thru the barren sands finding each other as they fight off bandits and injuns in a series of poorly executed action scenes. Script is weak and plot holds no surprises, like wouldn't you know it, once Nun Caron throws off the Habbit, she's a foxy babe! The Israeli vistas hold up as a Western backdrop, but they are barely realised by the photography and the colour is decidedly flat, while the score and title song (Till Love Touches Your Life-Richard Williams & Jan Daley) sounds like something from a soft core porn movie of the 70s. The ending has a decent enough kick to it, and the odd spurt of violence lifts the film out of its stupor; with one scene probably more fitting for Soldier Blue, but really this is only one for Boone enthusiasts. 5/10

A talky imitation spaghetti western shot in the Negev Desert in Israel and released shortly after 'Two Mules for Sister Sara'; a bit too soon for it to be a straight copy. It probably owes more to 'Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison' and the Dollars trilogy, with good girl Caron joining forces with bad & ugly brigand Richard Boone against a rugged backdrop and a sub-Morricone guitar score by Riz Ortolani. Pedestrianly directed by Jerry Hopper after several years away in TV, his occasional zooms are a poor substitute for Sergio Leone's frenzied cutting and clashing close-ups.

Boone of course is as usual good in the title role (although Caron didn't like him). Caron's smooth gamine features remain far too unblemished by exposure to such a harsh climate (likewise her long flowing, well-conditioned hair when allowed loose). But I'm not complaining...!

I am surprised that the other users did not mention the comparison between this film and Don Siegel's TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARAH, two different movies though, but in the new Italian western wave however. I prefer this one, despite the fact it is less good, but so downbeat, very gloomy with a very good Dick Boone's performance. I love this movie.

Jerry Hopper's Israel-set, savagely sun-baked spaghetti western 'His Name was Madron' (1970) is an amiable adventure with grizzled, gun-happy brigand Madron (Richard Boone) and kindly, but ever resourceful nun Sister Mary (Leslie Caron) making for an engaging ill-matched pair of travellers, fractiously bound together upon their increasingly desperate journey to a save haven beyond the ever encroaching threat of mercilessly vengeful Apache Warrior Sam Red!

Comparisons to Siegal's beloved 'Two Mules for Sister Sarah' are inevitable, but the delightful Riz Ortolani score, and his memorable theme 'Till Love Touches Your Life' certainly lends 'His Name was Madron' some additional appeal. The burly charismatic character actor Paul L. Smith makes the most of his all-too brief cameo, and while the amorous sparks never fully ignite between hard-bitten loner Madron and his nun sexier companion Sister Mary their lively performances are likeable enough, with the tall, crag-faced Boone making for a convincingly capable, sharp-shooting outlaw whose calloused trigger finger is fatefully softened by Mary's healing hands! As a scintillating aside, Leslie Caron's dazzlingly lustrous, delectably dark chestnut hair is a truly ravishing sight; Hell!!?? It's more than enough to lead a God-fearing man like me off the path of righteousness! Amen!!!!!