“Chisum” (1970) starring John Wayne / Z-View
Chisum (1970)
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Screenplay: Andrew J. Fenady, based on the short story Chisum and the Lincoln County War by Andrew J. Fenady
Stars: John Wayne, Forrest Tucker, Christopher George, Ben Johnson, Glenn Corbett, Bruce Cabot, Patric Knowles, Richard Jaeckel, Geoffrey Deuel, Pamela McMyler, John Agar, Robert Donner, Ray Teal, Edward Faulkner, Ron Soble, William Conrad (voice), Lee Meriwether and Lynda Day (George).
Tagline: THE LEGEND – John Wayne is “Chisum”
The Plot…
John Chisum (Wayne) and Lawrence Murphy (Tucker) are the biggest land owners in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Murphy has been buying up land and businesses by exerting behind-the-scenes pressure. Murphy goes too far when he pays off the sheriff and hires outlaws to rustle cattle.
Chisum, aided by his trail boss Pepper, along with Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett take a stand against Murphy and his gang.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
John Wayne was 44 years into his career when he made Chisum. Wayne was the #2 Money-Making Box Office Star for 1970. Paul Newman was #1.
Christopher George and Lynda Day had met before, but during filming of Chisum they fell in love and were later married.
The ranch house John Chisum lives in will be reused the following year for Wayne’s ranch house in Big Jake.
This was Geoffrey Deuel’s feature film debut. Geoffrey is Pete Duel’s younger brother. They look enough alike to be twins. Pete changed his last name for professional reasons. Pete would become famous for his role on Alias Smith and Jones. Sadly Pete Jones died from a self-inflicted gunshot on December 31, 1971.
Lee Meriwether’s only appearance in the film is in a photograph in Chisum’s pocket watch.
John Wayne was reportedly disappointed that his stuntman was so obvious in the big fight scene with Forrest Tucker. Tucker’s stunt man was Jim Burk who performed stunts on over 50 movies including Tango & Cash, Conan the Barbarian and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Chisum is based on the Lincoln County War of 1878. Although fictionalized, several of the characters in the film were based on real people and events.
Chisum (1970) rates 3 of 5 stars.
