The Comancheros (1961)

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Paul Wellman (novel) and
James Edward Grant (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 October 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Western | Adventure | Romance

Plot:

Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner...

Plot Keywords:

Renegade | Undercover | Gambler | Texas Ranger | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

John Wayne	...	Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter
Stuart Whitman	...	Paul Regret
Ina Balin	...	Pilar Graile
Nehemiah Persoff	...	Graile
Lee Marvin	...	Tully Crow
Michael Ansara	...	Amelung
Patrick Wayne	...	Tobe (Texas Ranger) (as Pat Wayne)
Bruce Cabot	...	Maj. Henry (Ranger CO)
Joan O'Brien	...	Melinda Marshall
Jack Elam	...	Horseface (Comanchero)
Edgar Buchanan	...	Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen
Henry Daniell	...	Gireaux
Richard Devon	...	Esteban

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (as De Luxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm mag-optical prints) (Westrex Recording System) | Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:Approved (PCA #20000) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1961) | Australia:PG | West Germany:12 (nf) | New Zealand:PG | Australia:G (DVD rating) | Norway:16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (cut)

Filming Locations:

Dead Horse Point State Park - State Highway 313, Moab, Utah, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The final film directed by Michael Curtiz.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Marshall's farm-yard: when Jake Cutter (John Wayne) introduces Paul Regret to Bessie Marshall, the sunlight on Regret's face - as well as on the horse behind him - instantly changes to overcast between shots.

Quotes:

Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Let him make a run for it, I'd say to myself.
Paul Regret: And then what would you say?
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: And then I'd say back to myself, you can't let him run. You swore an oath whent they put that badge on you.
Paul Regret: And that's important to you?
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: I said I swore an oath.
Paul Regret: Words!
Ranger Capt. Jake Cutter: Mon-sewer, words are what men live by... words they say and mean.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in C'era una volta il West (1968)

What life is all about

The scene where the Duke Wayne character (Texas Ranger Jake Cutter) meets the Joan O'Brien character (Melinda) after a long time away. The powerful Elmer Bernstein soundtrack combined with the beautiful cinematography of the Old Homestead make this scene one of the best of any Western. Also the scenes where The Duke is jesting with his real life son ("we didn't beat this boy enough when he was growing up") and where he lovingly takes his real life daughter in his arms (scene at Melinda's small farm) are first rate. I give the movie a 9 out of 10.