A MAN FOR HANGING is an intriguing little TV movie from 1972 and a film that successfully combines the western and horror genres. The main character is a monstrous creation who is forced to wear a Phantom of the Opera-style half mask due to his facial scarring. He goes on a rampage of destruction that seems to emphasise rape throughout, scenes which really push the boundaries of TV movie acceptability. A posse of vengeful family members pursue him and it all ends with a reckoning. This is quite cheaply put-together at times, but although dated the film's look is fine, the actors are invested in their roles, and the sheer unusual nature of the plot makes it worth a watch.
10 Reviews
A mild bunch and their slack noose
garp-268 April 2012
A posse pursue a disfigured, psychotic outlaw as he rapes and murders his way across the state. There's no denying just how cheap and hastily put together this western looks. Obviously an exploitative cash-in the plethora of cynically violent westerns that were served up during the seventies, yet one wonders what reliable professionals such as Breck, Macklin, Carr, and TV's Big Valley director Mazucca ever hoped to salvage from this glaringly half hearted project. At least Breck puts in a shift with some optimistic over acting as the oddly masked villain and his appearances partly justify the reason not to doze off completely through such 'thrilling' scenes as a shoot-out that is only slightly less dramatic than a children's pretend gunfight in a school playground or the endless treks across the same bit of sand by fatigued, demotivated looking actors and horses. Watchable for unintended reasons but I wondered what the death-or-glory hack Al Adamson might have come up with if the tumbleweed had rolled the pages of Joan Gardner's screenplay in his direction.
"... I just want you to think about dyin'."
classicsoncall20 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Consider this film if shot in black and white and it would fit right in with your average B Western of the Forties and Fifties. It adds nothing new to the genre and proceeds along very familiar good guy/bad guy territory, as a small posse chases down a disfigured outlaw with a maniacal laugh who leaves rape and murder as his calling cards. A bit later in the story it's also revealed that he's part of a Mexican bandit gang that robbed a bank, and he's holding the dough for his amigos. This plods along to a much expected finale, although I question the manner in which Avery Porter (Peter Breck) meets his demise at the end of a rope, relieving the Barrenger brothers (Paul Carr, David Macklin) of an unlawful hanging. It fulfills the suggestion of the movie's title, but in practice it looked rather lame.
One of the stupidest westerns I've ever seen
FMWoody12 January 2024
I agree wholeheartedly with another reviewer here who wrote this film should be bagged and thrown in the nearest garbage can. Absolute garbage, despite a really good cast. What were they thinking when they signed on to this potato? The terrorizing rape scenes are awful, and seem geared to a sick audience. It is also one of the stupidest westerns I've ever seen, especially the gun fights where both sides blaze away dozens of rounds without ever reloading. We have a station master who goes about the country side unarmed. His wife doesn't have a gun, either. A beautiful gal played by Brooke Bundy who just happens to be target practicing alone by a road, but later has the amazing ability to leave after all the good guys but beat them to the bad guys' rendezvous. A deputy sheriff who makes Festus look like a rocket scientist. I have to admit, though, there were some nice looking horses in this movie.
Maybe I just don't get the whole film noire thing.
the_frog_princess31 July 2001
I found the movie supremely pointless. The camera work was uninteresting and there was very little character development. By the end of the movie I was still unable to tell the members of the posse apart. The only mildly interesting character was the bad guy played by Peter Breck, and the details of his personality, aside from enjoying killing lame horses, beating/raping young ladies, and having an insane laugh most of that was only hinted at.
Bizarre Trash Bag Western
angelsunchained28 October 2020
Peter Breck has a fat gut, an eye patch and looks and acts insane. Dismal performance by an actor who looks headed to skid row of film making. Shoe string budget with little redeeming value, this Z film should be baged and thrown in the nearest garbage can.
Nick Barkley rides again
QueenoftheGoons7 February 2022
I only have this on VHS currently can't find it on DVD or Blu, i don't know i like it. Well i like Nick Barkley. What's not to like? I like the ballad at the beginning. Its a bit of a mess story wise, but for him i'd watch anything this gorgeous hunk of goon is in.
Rare obscure, violent Western.
RatedVforVinny9 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
One of the rarest and obscure (70's) exploitation westerns and there is not a single reference to this film in any western book. Shown once in the UK (on TV in 1976) as part of 'The Savage West' season. A mad and disfigured cowboy murders and rapes his way through the Wildest of West! I have been trying to hunt down this film for over thirty years and never even new it existed until I found a very rare, German video for sale on the internet. The cover of this particular video is quite bland and not the picture shown here (just a man riding a horse) but the blurb on the cover says it all 'A western with death and fear'! Exploitation movies are often overlooked (or considered dirty and cheap) by the critics but they sometimes have a gritty realism that most Hollywood productions hardly ever contain. Not a great film, just an ultra rare gemstone of a picture. Thankfully now can be obtained on DVD.
a very fine production, due primarily to cast
STJOHN0321 March 2001
Warning: Spoilers
A man for hanging, while apparently not too well known leaves one with a skin crawling feeling due to the very apt portrayal of a psychotic rapist murderer by peter brecht( a cowboy michael myers?) on a rampage in the very isolated areas of the old west, who happily rapes and murders his way toward the mexican border. offsetting his creepiness we find one of my favorite and oh too little seen actors, mr. david macklin , who once again gives it his all. mr. macklin , although not given top billing always keeps me rooted to the screen, whether romancing a young filly (wondering... will he kiss her?) or a "bad seed" type kid or even just bestowing his wonderful presence while others are speaking. kept in check by his older compadres, the hotheaded youth portrayed by mr. macklin also managed to not romance the heroine while making me think he would. a great ending, as brecht as the bogeyman outlaw even managed to do away with his partners in crime and as handsome as he is, was truly ugly to behold in this film.i almost jumped up and applauded at the finish when our heroes finally caught up with him and whilst argueing whether to hang brecht on the spot, in an escape attempt, brecht manages to hang himself! very symbolic. all in all a fine western in the "sierra madre" or "good, bad, ugly" tradition. even if one is not a fan of westerns, per se, check this one out if possible, as the great cast, headed by macklin and brecht will keep you glued to the set!
A mentally and physically scarred killer rampages though the west, raping and killing, pursued by a vengeful posse.ash
mackduffent31 January 2001
A Man for Hanging is an engrossing often gruesome Film Noir Western. The camera work and score are good. The cast of seasoned professionals is excellent, including Peter Breck as the monster killer, Michael Pataki as a scummy Mexican bandit and David Macklin as a hunky, hot headed but sensitive hero.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
