Based on the Louis L’Amour story “The Gift of Cochise,” this sparkling western has Wayne as a half-Indian Cavalry scout who, with his feral dog companion, finds a young woman and her son living on a isolated ranch in unfriendly Apache country. A poetic and exciting script, outstanding performances, and breathtaking scenery make this an indisputable classic. Page’s debut.Although scarcely seen in its original 3-D, and entirely out of sight for a decade and a half after its producer-star died, Hondo has maintained a high rep among John Wayne fans–and it wasn’t even directed by Howard Hawks or John Ford. (Actually, Ford did shoot some second-unit stuff while visiting Wayne on location.) Half-breed Hondo, companioned only by an antisocial dog, tends to be more sympathetic toward the Apaches than toward the white society he occasionally scouts for. He falls into uneasy friendship with a New Mexico farmwoman (Geraldine Page) whose husband deserts her for long stretches, and whose son (Lee Aaker) is blood brother to the local Apache chieftain. A good, spare frontier tale–Louis L’Amour via James Edward (Angel and the Badman) Grant–in which danger and solace come in unexpected ways. John Farrow, who did direct, brings it in at a lean 84 minutes. Page was Oscar®-nominated for this first film role. –Richard T. Jameson
May 29, 2008
#1
I purchased this movie without ever having seen it because I am an avid fan of Geraldine Page. Sadly, this is not one of her better performances. However, she is not “awful” as one reviewer has indicated — watch her in “Summer and Smoke,” “Interiors,” or “The Beguiled” to get a real indication of her genius. I suspect that the lame script and the lack of a real acting partner to play against were both hindrances to Miss Page. I hadn’t seen a John Wayne movie before this, but I must say he lives up to the stereotypes that have been built around him. There’s nothing interesting or intriguing about him or his character. It’s just macho, sexist crap that wears thin after about five minutes.
May 29, 2008
#2
I am an avid fan of Louis LaMour’s writing, and I was disappointed in this film’s inaccuracy to the book. (What movie has ever followed a book accurately?) Someone please tell me. John Wayne plays his part well, and Geraldine Page is OK, but if anything, Ward Bond as Buffalo Baker might have been the most true-to-life performance of the film.
As a huge John Wayne fan, I automatically have to rank this movie higher than it probably deserves. I mean, who does westerns better than the Duke? Nobody. It’s just too bad the western didn’t hang around longer. I don’t suppose it’s coincedence that when the Duke died, for all intents and purposes so did the western. “Unforgiven” and “Dances With Wolves” are really the only two exceptions.
In short, if you’re a John Wayne fan, this movie is for you. If you’re not, I really don’t think you’d like it. For the Duke it’s worth seeing (hey, isn’t any movie with the Duke in it?), but other than him, no.
May 29, 2008
#3
I am an avid fan of Louis LaMour’s writing, and I was disappointed in this film’s inaccuracy to the book. (What movie has ever followed a book accurately?) Someone please tell me. John Wayne plays his part well, and Geraldine Page is OK, but if anything, Ward Bond as Buffalo Baker might have been the most true-to-life performance of the film.
As a huge John Wayne fan, I automatically have to rank this movie higher than it probably deserves. I mean, who does westerns better than the Duke? Nobody. It’s just too bad the western didn’t hang around longer. I don’t suppose it’s coincedence that when the Duke died, for all intents and purposes so did the western. “Unforgiven” and “Dances With Wolves” are really the only two exceptions.
In short, if you’re a John Wayne fan, this movie is for you. If you’re not, I really don’t think you’d like it. For the Duke it’s worth seeing (hey, isn’t any movie with the Duke in it?), but other than him, no.
May 29, 2008
#4
The Movie
Not your typical 1950′s western, when most most 1950 westerns were almost always racist this one was respectful and ads to a feel of realism in the this tale of one mans sense of duty to protect a woman and a boy just cause they need it. In all the westerns that have ever been made this one holds a special place for alot of western fans. the cast isn’t really that special though its solid no one will make u go i didn’t know they were in that, but if you are a fan of westerns this is a must have
The Audio
You get 2 mixes on this disc a 5.1 surround sound mix and the standard mono. THe 5.1 is acceptible after all this movie was made in 1953. The gun shots are loud and clear no noise at all. The mono is unbearable its very quiet and there some noise in it.
The Video
Unfourtanly this movie is made in full screen i beleive that is because at the time screens weren’t 16x 9 so it was made that way if i am wrong i apologize it gives it that saturday western feel which ads to the feel of nostalgia. Its a good transfer not perfect it has soem grain and shows its age seems they rushed it just to get it on dvd. It clear for 90% though so acceptable for a 10 movie. The original was shot in 3d which they are now trying to bring back (they think it will bring people back to the theater..haha lowering the prices so i can not bye the dvd cheaper would do that) by the time it was released the 3d craze was dying.
The Extras
Commentary
by Lenard Maltin, Frank Thompson, and lee asker. Its a descent commentary worth a listen once
A Special Introduction by Lenard Maltin, a very pointless adition to the john wayne collection. Very annoying to anyone who just wants to watch the movie.
The Making of Hondo, a very good look into the process of making the movie
Profile:
James Edward Grant, frankly boring to watch and just thrown in cause they could i guess.
The John Wayne Stock Company:
Ward Band….all i can ask is why cause its really nothing to do with the movie
From The Batjac Vaults
One big commercial
The Apache
Interesting look and nice piece
Photo Gallery
another pointless extra
Original Theatrical Trailer
lol this shows how far we come nice to see
Batjac Teaser
More Commercials
May 29, 2008
#5
Not many people seem to know this but this movie is based on a novel by none other than Louis L’Amour. That is the only reason I rented this movie.
I heard it followed the book well and it does although a ton of background is not explained, that could cause a lot of confusion for people who have never read the book.
Page really is not that great as Mrs. Lowe, she’s whiny and I almost wished that the 50′s style Indians had scalped her. Ditto for her cloying brat who was ever so much better in the book.
John Wayne is OK as Hondo but you never really think of him as Hondo. You think of him as John Wayne with another name. I think a less well known actor might have done better in the role.
My next complaint has nothing to do with the book. Everything is too derned CLEAN! The curtains on the windows are bleached and even when Hondo is a sweaty mess, he still looks freshly shaved.
And then there was the typical 50s soundtrack. You know what I mean. DA DA DUM! When anything dramatic happens, the violens rise when anything mushy happens, it gets really annoying after a while.
Certain scenes were flubbed. The torture scene could have been much more harrowing, I’;m not condoning graphic violence but I think it should have been longer and more intense. This is the HERO we’re talking about. Also, the kiss scene at the beginning could have been better.
Still, as 50′s westerns go, it’s not bad and you might enjoy it if you like that sort of thing but please, try the book, it’s only 150 pages and is ever so much better.