Ford: The Man & The Machine (1987) Review

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(More customer reviews)I think enemies of Ford had something to do with this film's production. It casts Henry in a very negative light. While I've heard so many great things about the man and his machine, this movie manages to leave most of them out of the story. The 800 page book by Robert Lacey which was the basis appears to have been far more even in its coverage, judging by its reviews.Did we gain appreciation for the genius of the assembly line process? No, we observed the painful effects it had on the laborers forced to work harder and faster than they could bear. Did we get to see Henry's intellectual friendship with Edison, and their little-known attempt to mass produce electric cars? No. Did we get to see Henry's all-too-human affair? And Henry's appalling treatment of Edsel? And the Nazi connection? Sure; the unflattering tidbits get special coverage here.The impression I was left with after many hours of viewing was: why is Ford Motor still alive today? After seeing the miserable family affairs of Ford crumble, the succession plan ruined, the union/mafia violence, and the vindictive senator's quest for revenge against Ford... I wonder how the company managed to survive and prosper. Clearly, one must turn to the book for an unbiased explanation. Still, it was an entertaining movie.

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El Dorado (1967) Review

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(More customer reviews)Director Howard Hawks and John Wayne would essentially remake the same story three times: first as RIO BRAVO in 1959, then as EL DORADO in 1967, and finally as RIO LOBO in 1970. Caught between the popularity of the first and the dismal failure of the third, EL DORADO is something of a neglected film--but for my money, it is easily the best of the three.
The story is the stuff that Western myths are made of. Aging gun-slinger John Wayne is offered a job as hired gun in a range war, but he discovers that acceptance of the job would place him on the wrong side of the law--which in this case is old friend and small town sheriff Robert Mitchum, who has made himself a laughing stock by drinking his way to the bottom of every bottle he can find. Wayne accordingly drifts into town, whips Mitchum into shape, and with the assistance of crotchety deputy Arthur Hunnicutt and youngster James Caan they set about cleaning up the town.
Although EL DORADO has a leisurely tone, but it never feels in the least slow--largely due to an unexpectedly witty script that crackles with memorable dialogue (at one point when Mitchum asks Wayne what he's looking at, Wayne responds "A tin star with a drunk pinned to it") and unexpected situations (such as Caan's unfortunate way with a shotgun.) The entire cast handles both humor and old-west action with equal skill, and both Wayne and Mitchum offer some the best work of their impressive careers here; James Caan (in his first major success), Arthur Hunnicutt, Charlene Holt, and Michele Carey are equally memorable.
There are a great many westerns more critically acclaimed than EL DORADO--RED RIVER, THE SEARCHERS, and STAGE COACH to name but a few. And I enjoy them. But EL DORADO is like meeting an old friend whose company you always enjoy. Strongly recommended.

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AN OLD GUNFIGHTER, A DRIFTER AND A DEPUTY SOBER UP A SHERIFF TO TRACK DOWN KILLERS.

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