Burt Lancaster at his best

Crimpo2

I'm a big Western fan and I know I'm not alone among that dwindling band in placing Ulzana's Raid among my top three westerns and my top ten all time films. Among the sub-genre of post-1960 'realistic' westerns it is simply head and shoulders above anything else in the field. Its setting is bleak and inhospitable and its characters hardly less so. Even in its uncut form the film is violent - how could it not be - but not merely for effect and the sadism is implied rather than being gloried in. Both sides view is put forward - neither is right and neither is wrong, thats just how it was. Comparisons to Vietnam - in 1972 there could hardly not be. However, its also a good portrayal of a minor incident in a brutal war and it really doesn't need the Vietnam context to still be a very worthwhile watch. It isn't overlong and it moves along at pace - though as others have said the actual 'action' scenes are far fewer than it seems as you watch it! Marks of a good director those.

Almost all the film's characters are tough guys - moulded by their harsh environment - and they are beautifully cast. Jaeckel in particular is very good. However, for me this film stands out as one of Lancaster's finest performances. Someone else said his performance was 'phoned in' - well it is minimalist. He isn't flashy, he doesn't want you to think what a great actor he is. Instead he is what he plays - the old veteran who's seen it all and doesn't need to prove himself. Watch the movie again and see how much Burt does without even opening his mouth. Its a beautiful performance by an actor who knows that some parts don't need pyrotechnics. Do actors like that still exist?

If you like Westerns then watch this one

score 10/10

Crimpo2 18 November 2004

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0964111/