Written by James M. Tate / 7/08/2013 / No comments / action , adventure , christopher lloyd , eighties , jason robards , michael horse , remake , western , william fraker
KLINTON SPILSBURY IN 'THE LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER'
year: 1981 cast: Klinton Spilsbury, Michael Horse, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Clark, Jason Robards rating: *** |
Spilsbury has become somewhat of a cinematic enigma. After starring in this 1981 film directed by William A. Fraker, with terrific old school “Cowboy Picture” cinematography by LĂ¡szlĂ³ KovĂ¡cs and plenty of shootouts, he descended into obscurity and never appeared in another project, anywhere. Perhaps the decision to replace his voice with James Keach was too much for a young actor to take; after all, voice is more than half the performance.
David Hayward's traitor Collins answers to Klinton Spilsbury as The Lone Ranger |
Meanwhile a sporadic narration by country singer Merle Haggard feels like a prolonged DUKES OF HAZZARD episode (channeling Waylon Jennings)… Since the tale’s told clearly enough, The Balladeer’s input is unnecessary. But what makes this unfairly maligned film work is a lean, tight, enjoyable script.
Klinton Spilsbury as John Reid aka The Lone Ranger |
He’s tested when his stagecoach gets attacked – leading to the first action scene and meeting partial love interest Amy (the late Juanin Clay). Reid’s older brother is an intrepid, foul-mouthed tough guy thoroughly ticked his beloved small town is constantly marauded by Christopher Lloyd’s nefarious Butch Cavendish.
Christopher Lloyd as Butch Cavendish |
Thus Reid’s “brought back to life” by Tonto, played by a gallant Michael Horse, who, seeking vengeance for Cavender, winds up with an old friend and brand new partner. This pivotal sequence is shot well but often feels too close-up and choppy, befitting more of a television series than motion picture… Yet the impending sense of doom within the wedged-in valley is palpable and visually haunting.
Klinton Spilsbury and Christopher Lloyd square off in the finale |
There could have been more screen time with the newly-formed duo, ready and willing for action. Instead we have dialogue-driven scenes with Lloyd and Jason Robards as the gruff Civil War General turned famously drunken Prez, leading to one last bullet-riddled shootout kicking dust into the dusky skyline, somewhat rushed and anticlimactic compared to a more personally involving fist fight between Cavendish and The Lone Ranger, who, with his Native American counterpart, seemed primed for a sequel (or perhaps a spinoff TV series) that never came to pass.
Spilsbury's one and only shot as THE LONE RANGER |
Christopher Lloyd as Butch Cavendish |
Hi Ho Silver, Away! |
Christopher Lloyd as Butch Cavendish |
Jason Robards as President Grant with Christopher Lloyd |
Klinton Spilsbury rides into the sunset (Andy Warhol claims he had a crush on Dennis Christopher) |
Labels:
action,
adventure,
christopher lloyd,
eighties,
jason robards,
michael horse,
remake,
western,
william fraker
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