Horizons West (1952)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

SYNOPSIS: A melodrama about an avaricious Confederate major who after the Civil War instigates a reign of terror in Texas in an attempt to build a large western empire. (A Universal DVD). COMMENT: Rock Hudson has some unbelievable lines and bits of business - in fact the dialogue all around is sometimes rather strained - and the plot really goes over the top for a melodramatic finish that even a nervy and accomplished player like Robert Ryan is unable to sustain. But an enjoyable excursion nonetheless thanks to Boetticher's (pronounced "Betty-car") vigorous staging of the action scenes, crisp color photography, and some most agreeable players, particularly Raymond Burr who makes all his scenes stand out, Dennis Weaver as the impetuous Dandy, and the lovely Judith Braun as Hudson's light-of-love. Some memorable moments with Acosta too. Boetticher is at his best with the set pieces (Adams giving Ryan the high sign, Ryan's night ride into the deserters' camp, Burr's acing Ryan's cards, Burr beating up Hudson, Fowley booting the pistol to Burr, Acosta browbeating Monsieur Morin, Dandy nixing, Ryan getting the upper hand of Arness). Interesting that despite his star billing, Hudson doesn't figure in any of these sequences except being on the receiving end of Burr's heavy hand!OTHER VIEWS: An I'm-gonna-build-a-Texas-empire-at-any-price western. Despite third billing under Ryan and Adams, Rock Hudson doesn't have much of a part. Even the climactic shoot-out is a switch. Still there are lots of nice close-ups of Miss Adams, plus an interesting support cast headed by that ace of heavies, Raymond Burr. On the other hand, the corny script with its cornball fade-out and corn-fed characters like do-gooder rancher John McIntyre and beautifully groomed Judith Braun, all militate against Boetticher's attempts to turn Horizons West into a classic post-Civil War outing. True, Budd's direction is competent enough, but it's confined and circumscribed by a screenplay that can only described as Universal trashy. Yes, it does incorporate enough action for the rabid fans, despite a tendency to become dialogue-bound and speechy. And admittedly, the color photography, sets and costumes are mighty attractive. But Rock's fans will not be happy. Ryan is not only handed the lion's share of the spotlight, but shares just about all the interesting dialogue and action with other players such as Burr and Acosta, both of whom stand out from the ruck far more than the luckless Rock. - John Howard Reid writing as George Addison.Frankly, I don't think Horizons West is a very good film. I was too young at the time. I wasn't mature enough to get on top of the subject. I particularly remember Robert Ryan's tremendous professionalism and talent, and Julia Adams who was really radiant and beautiful. That's all I can say about that film. - Budd Boetticher.

Review of 'Horizon's West'by you Review of Horizon's West 1952 Directed by Budd Boetticher This is an entertaining movie, with a good cast. I gave it six stars out of 10 in the IMDb ranking. It scored 13 points in my ranking system, which is slightly above average. Here's what worked: Strong lead performance by Robert Ryan. He proves he can carry a film. Also, his character is both the protagonist and the heavy, which is always complex and interesting. A very alluring performance by Julie Adams. Another solid effort by John McIntire, who once again convincingly portrays a character 20 years older than himself. He plays Ryan's father in the film and I'm sure few suspect that in reality he was only two years older than Robert Ryan. Ryan's character lives in Austin and becomes a cattle rustler. He sells his cattle in Mexico to a corrupt Mexican general who rules over an area of Mexico called the Zona Libre. He also recruits a community of criminals and army deserters to assist him. These are two really hip themes, one of which was also used effectively in Fritz Lang's "Rancho Notorious". Unfortunately, both of these movies didn't capitalize fully on these ideas. There's a really good movie still waiting to be made using the "Zona Libre" and community of outlaw themes. Excellent Civil War theme. Robert Ryan plays a character who returns to Texas from the Civil War. His humiliation at the South's defeat ignites his destructive ambition to succeed financially after the war. Interesting early appearance by several actors who would go on to TV fame and fortune, including Raymond Burr and "Gunsmoke" stalwarts Dennis Weaver and James Arness. There are no plot holes. Most of the character's motivations make sense and are consistent. Now here's what kept the movie from being better: It's just too stiff and melodramatic. At times it teeters on the edge of "Duel in the Sun"-esquire steamy romance. It's kind of low budget. Some of the interior sets are OK, but it doesn't get outdoors enough. And when they do, they film just north of L.A. No comic relief Rock Hudson

One of a number of interesting psychological westerns from the fifties though this isn't in the same class as the later Budd Boetticher/Randolph Scott westerns, (it's let down by a poor script and poor acting). Robert Ryan and Rock Hudson play brothers returning from the Civil War to the vanquished Confederate side. Ryan goes to the bad while the mealy-mouthed Hudson stays on the side of law and order and that's basically it. But Boetticher sets up a number of interesting scenarios that make the Ryan character far from a cut-and-dried villain, (late in the film there is even a little speech as to what turned him the way he is), and the familial relationships are nicely drawn.

Having acted alongside James Stewart in 'Bend of the River' and appeared in two films with Tony Curtis, Rock Hudson was certainly on his way up the ladder in his late 20's. He's a bit like Charlton Heston in the sense that he has the maturity of someone almost twice his age whilst still in his 20's.