The Hunting Party (1971)A ruthless rancher, and his gang, use extremely long range rifles to kill the men who kidnapped his infidel wife. Director:Don Medford |
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The Hunting Party (1971)A ruthless rancher, and his gang, use extremely long range rifles to kill the men who kidnapped his infidel wife. Director:Don Medford |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Oliver Reed | ... |
Frank Calder
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| Gene Hackman | ... |
Brandt Ruger
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| Candice Bergen | ... |
Melissa Ruger
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| Simon Oakland | ... |
Matthew Gunn
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Ronald Howard | ... |
Watt Nelson
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| L.Q. Jones | ... |
Hog Warren
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| Mitch Ryan | ... |
Doc Harrison
(as Mitchell Ryan)
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William Watson | ... |
Jim Loring
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| G.D. Spradlin | ... |
Sam Bayard
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Rayford Barnes | ... |
Crimp
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| Bernard Kay | ... |
Buford King
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Richard Adams | ... |
Owney Clark
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Dean Selmier | ... |
Collins
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Sarah Atkinson | ... |
Redhead
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| Francesca Tu | ... |
Chinese Girl
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The rich and ruthless rancher Brandt Ruger keeps his beautiful young wife Melissa like a part of his property, subdued to his will. But one day she's kidnapped by the famous outlaw Frank Calder - just to teach him reading, so he tells her. Calder doesn't know or care who's wife she is. He takes care of her well, and eventually Melissa falls in love with him. But Ruger feels humiliated. Full of hate, he sets out to kill him - and Melissa too, if necessary. Together with his friends and the newest technology in guns, which carry 800 yards, he initiates a battue on Calder and his gang. Written by Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
I'm a big fan of early 70's sadistic westerns and "The Hunting Party" has the special place in my grimy heart. It's among the nastiest, bloodiest and most misanthropic western movies ever made. Obviously influenced by Peckinpah's masterful "The Wild Bunch" it has its share of brutal violence and blown off heads. Even the cow gets its throat slit in the beginning of this nasty spectacle. Gene Hackman plays wealthy town owner filled with rage and misogynistic hatred. When the outlaw named Frank (Oliver Reed) kidnaps his wife (Candice Bergen) for teaching him to read, Hackman forms the hunting group. The bloodbath ensues... Highly cynical western, superbly acted and shot. The shocking finale filled my eyes with tears. A must-see.