Chisum
Chisum

Movie spotlight

Chisum

1970
Movie
111 min
English

Cattle baron John Chisum joins forces with Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to fight the Lincoln County Land War in the New Mexico Territory of 1878.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Google Users75%
Director: Andrew V. McLaglenGenres: Western, Action, Drama, History

Plot Summary

Set in 1878, the film depicts the Lincoln County War in New Mexico, focusing on cattle baron John Chisum who clashes with corrupt land baron Lawrence Murphy and his hired guns. Chisum, aided by his nephew Pat Garrett, must rally his allies, including Sheriff Bean, to defend his land and way of life against Murphy's increasing aggression and a band of outlaws. The conflict escalates into a violent struggle for control of the territory.

Critical Reception

Chisum was a popular film at the box office, appealing to fans of classic Westerns and John Wayne's established persona. While not critically lauded for its originality, it was generally seen as a solid, action-filled entry in the genre, praised for its star power and traditional Western themes. Critics often noted its epic scope and straightforward storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for John Wayne's iconic performance and traditional Western action.

  • Seen as a competently made, if somewhat formulaic, late-era Western.

  • Appreciated for its historical backdrop and straightforward narrative.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed 'Chisum' for its classic Western setting and John Wayne's star power, finding it an entertaining and familiar entry in the genre. Some viewers noted its pacing and predictable plot but still appreciated the action and historical elements.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in Durango, Mexico, utilizing the vast landscapes and authentic-looking Western town sets that became a hallmark of filmmaking in the region during that era.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

When "Sallie" (Pamela McMyler) arrives at her uncle's ranch, she is immediately impressed by the huge scale of the place. "It'd take a man on a good horse most of the summer to cover it" explains her uncle, it's owner, John Chisum (John Way...

Dark Jedi

Dark Jedi

Maybe it is because I grew up with watching John Wayne (my father was a big fan of western movies) but I still really like these old goodies with John Wayne. Actually there are few movies with John Wayne that I do not like even though all o...