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MacKenna's GoldRating:
Release Date: 28 August, 2001 Retail Price: $9.95 OUR Price: $9.95 You SAVE: $0.00! Cast: Complete Cast (15 total) |
MacKenna's Gold Reviews
Highly Entertaining 1969 Western!
As a little kid in the early 70's I remember catching "MacKenna's Gold" on TV with my dad a couple times, but both times I only made it about an hour into the movie (with commercials) before having to go to bed; I made it to the campfire scene where old Adams describes the legendary secret canyon containing incredible natural gold treasure. I was upset that I couldn't finish the film (due to tiredness) because the film builds up a great amount of anticipation concerning the secret gold canyon.
Well, in the early 90's I spied a VHS copy of "MacKenna's Gold" and immediately purchased it. I finally got to see the ending and I wasn't disappointed.
Brilliant author and Western expert Brian Garfield ("Deathwish") comments on "MacKenna's Gold" in his outstanding book "Western Films" thusly: "it hasn't a single redeeming quality. It has got to be the most expensive star-studded two-hour "B" movie ever made; a gargantuan dud of absolutely stunning dreadfulness."
It hasn't a SINGLE redeeming quality? Okay, let me list a smattering: Outstanding cast, including Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Ted Cassidy, Julie Newmar, Telly Savalas, Carmilla Sparv and many more, albeit mostly cameos; one of the greatest Western scores of all time, which ranks up there with "How the West Was Won," "Rio Lobo," "Duel at Diablo," "Bandelero!" "Bonanza," "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (to name a few); an incredible theme song, "Old Turkey Buzzard," sung by Jose Feliciano and written by Quincy Jones; and magnificent locations (Utah, Arizona, Rogue River Oregon) & cinematography.
Plus, although the story has an undeniable comic booky vibe to it (which explains why Mr. Garfield refers to it as a "B" movie), it is played out in a completely serious manner and successfully holds your attention while, once again, creating much anticipation regarding the legendary canyon.
Gregory Peck, who plays Marshal MacKenna, and Carmilla Sparv are definitely the "good guys" in this picture. The film was made at a time (1969) when characters in Westerns tended to be unlikable and amoral (e.g. "The Wild Bunch," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Macho Calahan"), so it's just nice to have characters to root for, if you know what I mean.
Omar Sharif plays the head Mexican bandit "Colorado" excellently. It's sort of an atypical role for him, but he performs so fabulously that it seems he was born to play the part. Ted Cassidy, well-known as "Lurch" on TV's "The Addam's Family," plays the intimidating, laconic Indian warrior Hachita. He superbly fits the character (regardless of whether or not he has Indian blood running through his veins). Julie Newmar, although obviously not of Native American heritage, is great as a crazy -- and I mean CRAZY -- squaw. Red-blooded males will be interested to know that she has a nude swimming scene, while fans of "Brokeback Mountain" will likely appreciate Omar Sharif during the same sequence (LOL!).
Quincy Jones' opening score and the theme song "Old Turkey Buzzard" are so emotionally powerful (especially combined with the magnificent Southwest photography) that sometimes I'll just play the beginning of the film for my enjoyment, which runs a full 6-8 minutes or so (!). I've heard some complain that "Old Turkey Buzzard" is corny, but nothing could be further from the truth. I'll be perfectly honest with you, although open-minded, I've never been much into County/Western music, but "Old Turkey Buzzard" is just simply a POWERFUL composition, regardless of the musical genre. It potently comments on man's temporal nature and the insane & contagious condition of gold fever, which is what the film is about.
While "MacKenna's Gold" certainly lacks the gritty realism of, say, the contemporaneous "The Wild Bunch," it is indeed a SERIOUS film despite some undeniable cartooney aspects. One could also probably nitpick about the not-quite-successful F/X miniature sequences, but that's not important; what IS important is the film's entertainment value. At the end of the day "MacKenna's Gold" powerfully ENTERTAINS. In that sense it's definitely a 5-Star picture.
Flawed, but still a good, entertaining western.
People, pay no mind to Coolhandluke's review of this movie. Check out "all reviews" from him. He doesn't like much of anything.
McKenna's Gold is a very entertaining movie. The opening credits are way too long, though. Especially when you have to listen to a corny song about a turkey buzzard for what seems like eternity.
The story keeps your interest, the action is abundant, and the acting is pretty good. One of the best parts of this movie is the scenery and cinematography. It looks incredibly awesome on a digital TV. And I don't mind seeing "Lurch" playing the part of an Indian. He has to pay the bills too, you know. If you are the critical type, you can tear this movie apart for some of the silly scenes. But, if you enjoy movies for their entertainment value, this movie is great. Buy this DVD, make some popcorn, stick the movie in your DVD, press play, and have a good time! It's a good, action Western.
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