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"MacKenna's Gold" 1968 western |
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Written by Sarah
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Friday, 06 January 2006 |
"MacKenna's Gold" 1968 western
Director: J. Lee Thompson, Starring: Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Telly Savalis
Marshall Sam MacKenna (Gregory Peck) spends his free time out prospecting for gold in the Arizona desert. An old indian chief takes a pot shot at McKenna, who returns fire and mortally wounds the indian. While he takes care if the dying indian he is given a map to the lost Adams gold mine (in a hidden canyon), which he burns because it's worthless. Colorado (Omar Sharif) and his bandit gang have been trailing the old indian and trying to steal the map. As the map is burnt Colorado has to take the Marshall captive and they become reluctant partners in their search for the gold. Betrayal and double cross are the result as gold fever grips everyone.
MacKenna out for a ride in the desert
MacKenna, his indian ex girlfrind, Heshke and Colorado make camp for the night
A beautiful hostage girl makes friends with the Marshall
But his ex-girlfriend objects in a remarkable naked underwater snog/fight scene which was very unusual in a western
(or in fact any mainstream movie of this era)
A corrupt army sergeant (Telly Savalis) and some townspeople cut themselves in on the deal.
They finally find the hidden valley, "there's gold in them thar hills"
But in the end the indian gods destroy the valley and almost everyone in it.
This is one of my favorite westerns the picture and sound quality are pretty good for it's time, but there is some print damage at the start. There are several interesting stories about the movie. Supposedly the studios actually purchased a canyon and armed with tons of explosives, blew it up (if it's true they didn't get their moneys worth). Clint Eastwood mentions, in his biography, that he was originally offered the lead, but turned it down to do "Hang em High". Some of the special effects are a bit dodgy, especially the back projection used when the riders pretent to gallop up and down the canyon trail.
Movie Quality 8/10
Picture Quality 7/10 anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1
Sound Quality 7/10 mono |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 January 2008 )
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