Sexylocher
Masterful Movie
Phonearl
Good start, but then it gets ruined
Ava-Grace Willis
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
atlasmb
Kirk Douglas travels to Mexico on horseback to locate the woman he loved years ago. But a lawman (Rock Hudson) is on his trail, vowing to bring him back to Texas for hanging. Dorothy Malone plays the woman who is central to the story. Her husband, Joseph Cotton, plans to drive his cattle to Texas for sale, but he needs some cowhands. As a result, Douglas and Hudson become unlikely trailmates.Along the perilous journey, there are revelations, demonstrations of bravery, and conflict resolution. The plot is clever and it contains some surprises. "The Last Sunset" is directed by Robert Aldrich--a talented director, for sure. But the excellent script is the product of Dalton Trumbo, adapting from a novel.Though it contains the trappings of many western, this film goes beyond the usual caricatures. It is a rich story about complex characters.
movieman-227
As perversely fascinating a Freudian western as "Johnny Guitar" or "Duel in the Sun," Robert Aldrich's "The Last Sunset" deserves to be a lot better known than it is. Special mention to James Westmoreland (an actor I was completely unfamiliar with) as The Julesburg Kid. He's terrific (and crazy hot!). Puzzled as to why he didn't become a star--or at least enjoy steady employment in movies or television during the 1960's and beyond. Was amused thinking of Rock Hudson and Dorothy Malone discussing their experiences working with Douglas Sirk during their lunch breaks.
jazerbini
"The Last Sunset" has moments of great action typical of the great westerns, but others have very little expressiveness. Alternating good and bad times. Movies with Mexico as a backdrop have always success to perhaps due to difference in cultures quite distinct customs. It is worth remembering: "Vera Cruz", "The Professionals", "They Came to Cordura","The Wild Bunch", "The Magnificent Seven", "The Wonderful Country", "The Appaloosa" and "One-Eyed Jacks"(Marlon Brando) and "The Last Sunset" is one of them. Particularly admire the movie, but I believe that Aldrich could have it raised to a higher level making him one more western and less Greek tragedy. The story is undoubtedly a Greek tragedy. And exaggerated. Treat the poor character Linley as if it were completely ignorant. Continually lied to her. Would have a future on lies. And really "The Last Sunset" has some unfortunate mistakes. There are scenarios that poorly produced unconvincing as external locations; observing the rocks that appear in the very first scene, they arise at the end of the movie, when they reached the city, from another angle. In the same place, after so long a journey? The vest used by Hudson burning in the fight and then appears intact ! The shadows are not the duel sunset. And the performance of Hudson commits the movie. Terrible. Save up Douglas, Malone and Lynley. But has good western scenes with Joseph Cotten, Neville Brand and Jack Elam appearing very well. Has a certain value but could have been much better.
edwagreen
This 1961 offering paired Dorothy Malone and Rock Hudson for the 3rd time and had the added gift of Kirk Douglas.Joseph Cotten's role is wasted as the alcoholic weakling of a civil war combatant in the film. His name in the film is John Breckinridge. How did they come up with a name like that? The real John Breckinridge ran for president in the 1860 presidential election.An older-looking Dorothy Malone played Belle, Cotten's wife, who is visited by old flame Douglas who is being trailed by Sheriff Hudson. Malone shows a gritty but kinder veneer than her Oscar winning Mary Lee Hadley in the memorable "Written on the Wind," 4 years before.Carol Linley is appealing as her daughter who falls for Douglas, never knowing who he really is in relation to her.The dramatic ending here is great as Douglas takes the ultimate step in his life. He becomes terribly conflicted when he discovers who Linley is.Other than what I've described, the picture could have been a routine cattle drive.
