Underated Films - Devil's Doorway
There are many underrated films that don't get the recognition they deserve. One in this category is Devil's Doorway ( 1950 ) the Anthony Mann western made before Broken Arrow (1950 also ) with a release held back due to concerns at MGM and released after it, due to the success of Broken Arrow at the box office. Both films were sympathetic towards native Americans. I believe this is Robert Taylor's finest performance. Among the great Anthony Mann westerns it is the least known which is a shame and on par with the James Stewart / Anthony Mann collaborations, if not better. Louis Calhoun was also never better as the villain. Broken Arrow has long been on VHS then DVD and has been screened on Fox classics. Devil's Doorway has never been released in Australia on VHS or DVD. Bill Collins presented it on The Golden Years Of Hollywood many years ago and TCM has screened it. If you get a chance it is well worth a viewing. Hopefully I will hear a comment from someone who agrees with me.
Hondo
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Robert Taylor playing an Indian. Looks like a film worth watching.
Interesting and slightly sarcastic quote about lawyers ......
Orrie Masters: My father wanted me to study law. It means a great deal to me.
Lance Poole: Yes, it must. I've always wanted something like that. Something to tell me what's right or wrong. Because then you don't have to bother about your conscience. It's written out for you to follow... no matter what it does to people. It's the law. And changing the law is something you don't have to worry about.
Try and track it down John. It is certainly worth viewing. Meant to mention when I posted this discussion that the location shooting ( possibly Wyoming ) adds to the realism of the film.
Hondo
I managed to watch this Saturday night. Certainly ahead of it's time, quite a sad movie really (the oppression & racism towards Robert Taylor).Yep Hondo great backdrops / locations.
It's one that deserves restoration and blu ray transfer, like Man of Laramie which is stunning on blu ray.
Glad you managed to get to see Devil's Doorway Sven. Agree with all you said. The amazing thing about this film is that it failed at the box office when first released in 1950. Thankfully now it is getting the recognition it deserves.
Hondo