Movie spotlight
Outlaw and self-appointed lawmaker Judge Roy Bean rules over an empty stretch of the West that gradually grows, under his iron fist, into a thriving town, while dispensing his his own quirky brand of frontier justice upon strangers passing by.
In the lawless American West of 1880s Texas, a drunken outlaw named Roy Bean declares himself judge of a territory. He dispenses his own unique brand of justice, often influenced by his love for the opera singer Lily Langtry. Bean rules his small town with an iron fist, yet his decisions are as arbitrary as they are absurd, creating a legendary, albeit bizarre, figure in frontier history.
The film received mixed to positive reviews, with many praising Paul Newman's charismatic performance and John Huston's distinctive directorial style. However, some critics found the film's tone uneven, oscillating between slapstick comedy and serious drama.
Praised for Paul Newman's central performance as the eccentric judge.
John Huston's direction provides a visually rich and often quirky Western experience.
Criticized for its inconsistent pacing and blend of comedic and dramatic elements.
Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film, appreciating its unique take on the Western genre and Paul Newman's entertaining portrayal. Some viewers found the humor a bit dated or the narrative occasionally meandering.
Paul Newman actually directed some scenes himself, uncredited, when John Huston was ill.
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It was always going to be difficult for anyone to beat Walter Brennan’s feisty effort as this character from 1940, but Paul Newman and John Huston come close with this slightly contradictory portrayal of the 19th lawman. We start as he, him...
Beanisms! The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is directed by John Huston and written by John Milius. It stars Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Perkins, Ned Beatty, Roddy McDowall, Tab Hunter, Victoria Principal and Ava Gardner. M...