Mon 12 Jan 2009
Archived Western Movie Review: MACKENNA’S GOLD (1969).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , Western movies[6] Comments
MACKENNA’S GOLD. Columbia Pictures, 1969. Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Julie Newmar, Camilla Sparv, Keenan Wynn, Ted Cassidy, Eduardo Ciannelli, Lee J. Cobb, Raymond Massey, Burgess Meredith, Anthony Quayle, Edward G. Robinson, Eli Wallach.
Narrated by Victor Jory. Based on the novel by Will Henry. Director: J. Lee Thompson.
Now this is what you can call an epic!
Over two hours of gold fever: outlaws teamed up with honest townspeople, evading the cavalry, being chased by Indians, crossing rapid rivers, through treacherous mountains, across deserts, into secret valleys seen by only one white man before, and his eyes were taken from him before he could return to tell the tale.
There is only one honest man in this picture, and that is the sheriff (Gregory Peck) who mistakenly kills the Indian chieftain who has the map, and he’s in constant trouble from that time on.
Peck is also the only leading player in this picture who does not seem seriously miscast for his or her part. I mean, come on, Telly Savalas as a cavalry officer? Julie Newmar as the most statuesque Indian this continent has ever seen? Camilla Sparv as the kidnapped blonde and blue-eyed daughter of a murdered judge? (*)
Other critical sources appear to be united in saying that this movie is overblown, over-produced, and not very good, either. It’s still a highly entertaining film, in spite of what they say.
It’s tough to keep a good western story down, and if you don’t like the story, you can always watch the scenery. It’s terrific.
____
(*) Looking through the credits again, I’m willing to reconsider that statement, just a little. Keenan Wynn is perfect as the drunken lout of a sidekick for the notorious Mexican bandit, Colorado. (Played by Omar Sharif, of course.)
[UPDATE] 01-12-09. I found a few other scenes taken from the movie that I could have added to show you, but the review was too short to accommodate them all. (Sorry.) The only other comment I could add is that my younger self has convinced me, if nobody else, that this is a film that’s a Must See Again.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Mackenna’s Gold, based on a terrific book by Will Henry (aka Clay Fisher and also Heck Allen who wrote cartoons for MGM during the Tex Avery era)is a big shaggy likable movie. It never really comes together, but there is so much going on and everyone is trying so hard that you feel like giving it a pass when it misfires.
There are some high points, including Edward G. Robinson as Old Adams of the Lost Adams Mine, and Julie Newmar as the most statuesque Apache in history. For the most part the movie sticks to the book, save at the end which is unfortunate. There are some fair special effects (for the time, they are pretty obvious now), and nice set pieces. The real problem is that Omar Sharif is such a charming rogue that they couldn’t kill him off so the film gets a little distracted toward the end. Victor Jory’s narration is great.
Two caveats, Jose Feliciano crooning “Old Turkey Buzzard” will drive you to distraction, and a fine cast including Lee J. Cobb, Burgess Meredith, Anthony Quayle, Eli Wallach, eduardo Cianelli, and Raymond Massey are largely wasted. On the other hand Keenan Wynn has fun chewing scenery as Sharif’s Mexican bandit crony, and Richard Kiel is meanacing as a giant mute Apache and there is a hint Rudy Soble might have been able to do something with a noble Apache, but doesn’t get the chance.
One correction, Telly Savalas doesn’t play a cavalry officer, but a treacherous sergeant who betrays his men for a shot at Adams Gold. Those who know their western history will know that the Lost Adams Mine is a real life treasure that modern adventurers are still looking for. In many ways Mackenna’s Gold is less a modern Treasure of Sierra Madre than a precursor of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 am
To correct myself the giant Apache is Ted Cassidy rather than Richard Keil. Those that have read Will Henry’s novel will understand that the climax of the film is a bit of a disapointment, though it does manage some elements of the original.
May 6th, 2010 at 12:29 am
It may not be hailed by the critics, but Mackenna’s Gold is a fabulous movie and I loved every minute of it when I first saw it as a kid. The plot may seem improbable in the modern context, but highly probable in the context of the 1870s when geographical knowledge of certain areas were still sketchy. The scenery is great and so is the background music and I don’t mind seeing the film any number of times.
January 31st, 2011 at 8:23 am
Dear All
Good Evening
What ever the critics comment, but they can not say any thing about the success of the movie.Hell with the critics.
It also has a moral in it. Not to be thirsty of getting money in unnatural and unlawful methods. Also there is comedy and humour in the movie.
It’s still a wonderful movie. I saw this movies when I was just 24 years old.
And still I continue to see when ever it releases. I have seen it many times. Esp[ecially 7o mm sterioponic and also another new version sense”O”sound.
You will really enjoy Jose Feliciano’s song
“The Old Turkey Buzzard” and the sound of Horse hues.
I am surprised why my friend David did not mention anything bout Gregory Peck and Camilla Sparv, the real beautiful Red Indian Girl and the swimming scene.
As a fiction it is really a superb movie even for present generation.
Best wishes to all
Uma Maheswar Nakka
January 31st, 2011 at 6:45 pm
The swim scene with Peck, Sparv, and Julie Newmar is indeed a treat.
Re the plot it sprawls a bit in the film, but in the novel it is much tighter and more believable. This would likely have fared better as a smaller film, but I still love it more than it deserves, and I agree in this case “to hell with the critics”
Sadly Will Henry’s fine novels haven’t been utilized as much by Hollywood as they should have been, though PILLARS OF THE SKY, YELLOWSTONE KELLY, THE TALL MEN (the last two written as Clay Fisher), and SANTA FE PASSAGE are all entertaining. My favorite of his books is NORTH STAR, which was a disapointing film with Christopher Lambert and James Caan.
As for Jose Feliciano, if he had sung the song once over the titles I would have had no problem, but is repeated endlessly and it’s no HIGH NOON despite having the same pedigree to some extent.
Omar Sharif’s charming Mexican bandit is closer to Arsene Lupin than Pancho Villa and even has a fantasy sequence in white tie and tails in Paris. Perhaps yet another of Lupin’s many aliases …
If you like this one check out LUST FOR GOLD with Glenn Ford, Ida Lupino, and Gig Young which deals with the Lost Dutchman mine
June 4th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Lust for Gold is one of all-time favorites, too….almost every character in that movie has a dark side……mckenna’s gold….agreed… Not a critical success, but I like it, and have seen it many times…..