The Traveling Executioner (1970)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I saw this film in Mexico around 1971 and I was so mesmerized by Stacy Keach's performance as a very eccentric traveling electrocutioner hired by Southern prisons to do the dirty deed. His hypnotic presentations to the condemned prisoners were heavenly and sublime as he always captured their attention by taking them to the "Fields of Ambrosia". I do remember thinking back then (1971) that these prisoners were being given a lot more than their warden ever bargained for. This was back in time when Soylent Green had come out and Edward G. Robinson was accepting the gift promised if he went along with assisted suicide. (This was set in the future when there was not enough food for the population and his remains would be used for processed food for people.) His quid pro quo was to watch pictures of all the extinct wildlife and other ecstatic beautiful scenes that no longer existed and nobody had had the privilege to ever see). Stacy Keach made the imminent execution so painless, that you would have thought the prisoners were wanting to die and experience the "Fields of Ambrosia". I am 70 years old and I do not go to many current movies any more as they are without art, taste, merit, etc, but I wonder why those who control the release of this movie won't let us old timers see it some more.

This film was released in the UK on video as I have a copy I bought from a video seller many years ago. It is a rare film though as I'd never seen a copy for sale before and only isolated copies on amazon since, selling for something ridiculous like £85! It's an interesting film, with good music, but like a lot of the science fiction films from around this era, overall it just doesn't quite work. Would never get made now though - and certainly not like this, so perhaps I should be glad it got made at all. Keach very good in the central role. After all your good reviews, I'll give it another look. If anyone would like a copy of the film email me and maybe I could sort one out for you. [email protected]

The story of "The Traveling Executioner" is quirky and original, but recommended only if you wish to see the performances of Bud Cort or Stacey Keach. Otherwise, the story tends to progress slowly, not enticing me to have repeated viewings. Interesting, though, is to contemplate why the character of Bud Cort would want to follow in Steach's character's profession.Despite the film not being the best in Cort's oeuvre, it was wonderful to see him in a large supporting role, which came scarcely after having been type-casted. His performance is excellent, as always, being able to rise above the material. He gives his character an appealing, amiable on-screen personality (opposite of the demure Harold Chasen he portrayed in "Harold and Maude").

An unusual movie about a vanished type of tradesman who like the iceman, buggy whip maker, milkman, and fuller brush man has gone from the American scene. Formerly this type of tradesman traveled about the south with his truck, switchboard, genarator, and of course electric chairexeucutin' folks who wuz on death row yeah! Stacy Keach plays such a' one in this 1970 "gallows~humor" tradgi~comedy