Based on a short story by Louis L'Amour just before it was expanded into a bestselling novel, the film broke some minor boundaries with its tale about the complicated relationship of white settlers and the Native-American people of the Southwest. By the time the film was released in theaters, the western had become a common film type geared towards younger audiences and the weekend matinee crowd. Farrow's adaptation reintroduced certain dramatic themes to the genre which attracted adults, namely the lack of a single, easily-identifiable bad guy and that the native people were wronged and betrayed by the government. The kids, of course, weren't excluded, as there's tons of excitement and action to be had, and it comes with the sort of wild-west adventure typically expected from a film starring The Duke.
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Speaking of which, Wayne delivers one of his most memorable performances as the half-Apache loner, Hondo Lane, en route to the U.S. Cavalry to deliver a dispatch. He's a skilled but complex gunfighter, caught between two worlds always at odds with one another. He's also an honest, straightforward person, which gains him some respect from others while being romantically admired from afar by the heartbroken rancher Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page in her first of many Oscar-nominated performances). What makes Hondo so fascinating is the fact that he appears to live more comfortably amongst the settlers but possesses the utmost respect for Native Americans. It's a vastly different attitude than the one usually expressed by the customary gunslinger of the time, and the film is better for it.
This reverence continues in the portrayals of the Chiricahua Apache people. Although other characters in the story speak of them as an enemy, Vittorio (Michael Pate) and his men are never actually shown as such. In fact, it's the white settlers throughout which are unlikable and somewhat untrustworthy, like the churlish Ed Lowe (Leo Gordon) or the overly-eager, wet-behind-the-ears Lt. McKay (Tom Irish). The narrative never devolves into a clear, black-and-white divide of the good guy versus the bad guy, of who's right and who's wrong. On the surface, John Farrow's 'Hondo' is your standard western, or better yet, your average John Wayne western. But really it's not as it does make the attempt at an honest portrait of the West. Even if it's an inoffensive and wholesome depiction, the endeavor is at the heart of the production, which is partly what makes the classic film — passionately cherished by Al Bundy — a great and admirable one.
As a side note, the movie was also filmed with a 3D theatrical release in mind, so when characters are flinging objects at the camera during action sequences, that's the explanation. Given that fact, the cinematography is one of the loveliest and most stunning for a 3D presentation. It's a real shame we're not allowed that option for our home theaters.
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The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats
Paramount Home Entertainment brings 'Hondo' to Blu-ray on a Region Free, BD50 disc inside a blue eco-lite keepcase with a glossy cardboard slipcover. At startup, the disc goes straight to the main menu with full-motion clips and music. The package includes an advert for a Delta Vacations contest.
by m.enois duarte
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| Bottom Line | Recommended |
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