Chisum (1970)

classic duke

This movie is classic Duke. I have collected other John Wayne movies and this has his usual company of actors.
The clarity is excellent and the photography is great.
While the actual history of Chisum differs from this screen version, it is a great story.
I recommend this to any collector of the Duke's movies. May 29, 2008

"Not Likely"

Chisum DVD


Chisum is a cowboy movie in the old style. It stars John Wayne, as the New Mexico cattle baron, John Chisum, has Forrest Tucker as a greedy merchant, and has Billy the Kid, , and many others in it. Recommended for fans of John Wayne, Forrest Tucker, and cowboy movies.

Gunner April, 2008


April 12, 2008

My favorite John Wayne movie

This is my all time favorite John Wayne movie. Just the right mix of western, romance and action. I have hunted this movie for years before trying Amazon....I'm sure glad I did. March 25, 2008

Great for a gift

Chisum
This is a great gift idea for a father or grand-father. These are the movies that were watched when they were younger. A little piece of time standing still. I know my dad enjoyed it. February 13, 2008

John Chisum: Cattle Magnate and Attempted "Tamer" of Billy the Kid

The setting of this western is New Mexico in the 1870's. John Chisum (John Wayne) describes his flight from Texas following a period of poverty caused by the war (Civil War), and how he had built up the area, acquired a large herd of cattle, and made the area civilized enough that women would want to live there. He respects the local Indian chief, and calls the Comanches a Nation.

Chisum constantly has to fight against interlopers who try to steal his cattle. These include not only petty thieves but also those who think that they OWN the law (in contrast to Chisum, who simply respects the law).

William Bonney (Billy the Kid) arrives, and Chisum, fully aware of his past, nevertheless welcomes him. For a time, it seems as though Billy has turned over a new leaf. He settles down to a regular job, and expresses a desire to shed his murderous reputation. He even reads the Bible, though ostensibly to maintain what little reading skills he has. But then his friend is murdered, and, instead of waiting for the judicial process to run its course and for the perpetrators to be hanged, he shoots them himself. Even then, Chisum takes no action against him, only asking him to leave the area and never return.

In those days, some people used to say that you can always travel somewhere in the West where there is no law, and where even God cannot be found. Chisum comments to the effect that the law eventually reaches everywhere, and, wherever you may go, you will find that God was already there.

While Chisum is away, Billy the Kid sneaks into town at night to see a girl he loves (Chisum's niece). He gets cornered. The local sheriff wants him dead. Billy and a group of his men manage to escape into a building, where they hole themselves up. Dawn comes, and there is a long shootout. Chisum gets summoned. But will he return in time to diffuse the situation? Will Billy the Kid meet his end? Or will he get away again?
January 1, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...