Zachariah (1971)

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

A previous reviewer called this a real hoot. I agree. You have to remember that this movie (and I haven't seen it in probably 30 years) was basically written by the Firesign Theatre guys. It was billed as an "electric western" and it was a staple on the old Midnight Movie circuit. For the uninformed ... in the days before personal video, unique movies like this one would play in venues billed as "midnight movies" ... which were a cheap alternatives to clubs and such for Saturday night entertainment. Midnight movies were generally enjoyed in a somewhat enhanced-state-of-mind. Whew.Since I've never seen this movie on TV and don't think it was ever in wide distribution ... it may well have gone "straight to midnight movies" in much the same way that some movies go straight to video. Heh.

Remember Easy Rider? Remember Beyond the Valley of the Dolls? Remember Fistful of Dollars? Now, put all those movies in a blender, hit frappe, and you'll get Zachariah. Once you get past the fact that they're playing electric guitars in 1880's, it's an enjoyable film.

Oh, how I love late 60s/early 70s Hollywood! When the studios figured to capture the turned on youth market, but had NO CLUE what was really going on! Great era when almost anything could be passed off as psychedelic, and weirdos like the Firesign Theatre could co-write a movie and GET IT MADE. Grooovy!'Zachariah' is a unique, rock'n'roll western, which is so lame brained and misguided it turns out to be one of the most entertaining movies of the period. Just check out the cast! Pretty boy Don Johnson, TVs John Rubenstein, Country Joe and The Fish, and DICK VAN PATTEN! Add to that a Who-inspired James Gang (with a young, clean shaven Joe Walsh) and Coltrane's legendary drummer Elvin Jones, and you've got a truly, er, UNIQUE proposition! Make a great double-bill with 'Tommy'!

Surprisingly I found myself enjoying this movie in a twisted way. The characters are so funny that you realize this movie doesn't take it self seriously. Don Johnson is great in his role as "the bad guy." Although one really annoying part of the plot got me. The main catalyst for the rift between them is the scene when they realize that there can be only one of them in the group. Well why???? They never say and it really doesn't make any sense. But what can you say about a rock n' roll western?