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

Writers:

Gilbert Ralston (story), Lou Morheim (story),

Stars:

Oliver Reed, Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oliver Reed	...	Frank Calder
Gene Hackman	...	Brandt Ruger
Candice Bergen	...	Melissa Ruger
Simon Oakland	...	Matthew Gunn
Ronald Howard	...	Watt Nelson
L.Q. Jones	...	Hog Warren
Mitch Ryan	...	Doc Harrison (as Mitchell Ryan)
William Watson	...	Jim Loring
G.D. Spradlin	...	Sam Bayard
Rayford Barnes	...	Crimp
Bernard Kay	...	Buford King
Richard Adams	...	Owney Clark
Dean Selmier	...	Collins
Sarah Atkinson	...	Redhead
Francesca Tu	...	Chinese Girl

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

outlaw | rifle | gun | love | cattleman | 

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Taglines:

They Hunted The Biggest Game Of All - Man And Woman!

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Genres:

Drama | Western | Action

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1971 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Cacería implacable

Filming Locations:

Spain

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 527,257 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brighton Pictures, Levy-Gardner-Laven

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Frank shoots Doc (5 times rapid fire) he uses a Colt Peacemaker model which is a single action pistol. The only way to rapid fire a single action pistol is to fan the hammer, which is very inaccurate, and since his left hand is holding down his right wrist, it is not possible for him to fan the gun.

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Connections

Featured in The Honkers (1972)

User Reviews

Bloody and nihilistic western.

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.