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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid [1969]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones
directed by: George Roy Hill

August 27, 2001
A fine DVD of the classic western famous for the witty by-play between Newman and Redford and the luminous photography by the distingushed Conrad Hall,this has some interesting extras,most of all a rarely-seen documentary of the film with fascinating behind the scenes footage, narrated by the director George Roy Hill.PARENTS BE WARNED!! though;Hill comes out with a few choice expletives during his commentary,so it should not be shown to young children.The DVD notes should've made this clearer,but barring this minor quibble it's an excellent all-round package of one of Hollywood's best remembered westerns.

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3:10 To Yuma [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Dallas Roberts
directed by: James Mangold

January 28, 2008
This is a remake of the 1957 film of the same name. Fortunately I saw the original last year, which is a minor classic itself. In general I don't like remakes, however this is well done and Russell Crowe again shows that when he wants to, he can be a terrific actor. Rather surprisingly I thought his performance overshadowed Christian Bale's, who is generally considered a better actor.

The story that Peter Ustinov used to tell of an actor he was working with is never more true than here. Ustinov was in the background in a shot, and the star of the movie turned to him and said "what are you doing?". Ustinov said "I'm doing nothing". The star said "Oh no your not I'M DOING NOTHING". That sort of sums of Russell Crowes performance. He ... Read More:

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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker, Sam Rockwell, Brooklynn Proulx
directed by: Andrew Dominik

March 31, 2008
One of those DVD's requiring that one must be "in the mood for history" to enjoy it. Not entertaining, yet compelling with a sad and unexpected ending. However, it conveys a sinister, but realistic dimension of Americanism => the power of sensasionalist press coverage and how easily American public perception is swayed by reporting. Tragically, it seems that following his death, no-one cared that James had been a cold-blooded criminal => instead Ford was turned into an outcast! One wonders how history (as dictated by the press) would have treated Robert Ford differently had he killed Jesse James in a shoot-out. Perhaps Ford would have been a hero?
My advice => unless one is a student of American history, read about Jesse James on Wikipedia ... Read More:

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Deadwood : Complete HBO Season 3 [2006]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Brad Dourif, Robin Weigert, Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Keith Carradine
directed by: Walter Hill

August 06, 2007
Having been impressed by the first two series of Deadwood, I was expecting another well written dramatic jewel. What a disappointment. The plot, such as there is, meanders along, with new (superfluous)characters thrown in with the obvious intent of providing continuity for the next (never to be completed) series, more incoherent drunken ramblings from Calamity Jane, a pointless cameo from Wyatt Earp and a finale that, by the time it arrives, is so overdue that it comes as a relief from the tedium, despite it's complete lack of drama.
Series 3 of Deadwood is rubbish. It could have been a masterpiece. However, having said that, the acting of Ian McShane et al is still superb. Pity the poor actors who have to work for such idiots as HBO - a gang of con ... Read More:

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Once Upon a Time in the West -- Special Collector's Edition (2 discs) [1969]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti
directed by: Sergio Leone

October 06, 2003
This is close to a perfect film. Sergio Leone at his best, Henry Fonda as a bad guy, Charles Bronson as the "goodie" AND with an Ennio Morricone score. What more could you ask for?
Cinematically stunning with some incredible sequences that Leone was not afraid to linger over, a strong plot and a great script.
A truly fantastic film.

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The Magnificent Seven (Special Edition) [1960]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn
directed by: John Sturges

June 25, 2001
Whilst this probably isn't the best western ever made its certainly up there amongst the top flight. It was fortunately made a few years before 'A Fistful of Dollars', which changed westerns and what was expected from them.

Take the classic Kurosawa film 'Seven Samurai' (which is given its due in the opening credits) and reinvent it in the American west. Then add the staggeringly good cast of Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, James Coburn and Robert Vaughan and what you have is a near perfect piece of Cinema. Some of these guys (like McQueen) were not the bigshots they would later become, but they are incredibly cool. Just a look is enough for these actors. For example, James Coburn hardly says a word throughout the film, and he has ... Read More:

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How The West Was Won [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Carroll Baker, James Stewart, Eli Wallach, John Wayne, Richard Widmark
directed by: Henry Hathaway, John Ford, George Marshall

September 29, 2008
What a fantastic print we now have of this film since the original cinerama has now been restored and the three joins of the original can no longer be seen. Finally the film can be seen in glorious depth and colour with both images in the foreground and background in crystal clarity.

A fantastic commentary is also added by filmmaker David Strohmaier, Director of Cinerama, Inc. John Sitting, Film Historian Rudy Behlemer, Music Historian Jon Burlingame and Stuntman Loren James which throws so much new light on the making of the movie.

For those who have never seen the film; sit back and enjoy.

For those who have seen the film many times on TV or video, and longed for the day.....welcome for the first time to "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" as it should ... Read More:

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Deadwood : Complete HBO Season 2 [2005]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, W. Earl Brown

March 06, 2006
Deadwood puts all the other stuff to be found on the telly way into the shade...in fact it kicks the rest into crapdom. The dialogue here is excellent, the story-lines are believable, intelligent and clever, and the suspense kicks in from the beginning. The characters are superb, human, real. Someone here has made a lot of effort to get things right and should be commended for their work. I will repeat myself here....the dialogue, the script, is excellent. If I could give this 6 or more than 5 stars I then would. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. Thank you Mr Milch.

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Clint Eastwood Collection - A Fistful Of Dollars/The Good, The Bad And The Ugly/For A Few Dollars More/Hang 'Em High

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Marianne Koch, John Wels
directed by: Sergio Leone, Ted Post

August 13, 2007
...this is a fine set, you get Hang 'Em High in addition to the traditional 3 film set, usually refered to as the man with no name films, although he does have names, Joe, Manco and Blondie (nickname?) if I remember correctly.

I'm only writing this review as I think the one star is unfair as loads of boxsets are repacked from other sets.

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Deadwood: Complete HBO Season 1 [2004]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Westerns
starring: Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Keith Carradine, Robin Weigert, Powers Boothe
directed by: Walter Hill

July 04, 2005
Ian Mcshane is excellent in this Dark Drama........not a typical western....no blue skys, powder puff clouds, blue gingham shirts etc....but a dark, cruel rollercoaster of a ride ....that makes compulsive viewing..l was pleased to be rewarded with a fine set of actors in this thought provoking series.