An Eye for an Eye

I'd say this film is ahead of its genre.

From the very start this film is dark (nothing graphic, this was 1966, but the intent and actions of the villain Slim Pickens are down right bad) and the tone and story is set up. At one point it tries to be Shane, but with a twist that ends up closer to a spaghetti western when harm befalls the two heroes, this film turns into a compelling pulp shoot out movie.

Robert Lansing has to reign in the mean. Patrick Wayne is a star who just didn't crack the big time, but is always worth watching. And the two of them play well together.

It's always great to see Clint Howard.

And director Michael D Moore must be one of the best directors not to have made a plethora of classic movies for himself judging by his second unit directors credits.

A must for any western fan.

Pretty-Good B-Western that Helped Fill the Void in the Genre when the Western was "Out of Favor", for the Most Part, in the Time Period.

Except for Spaghetti-Western Imports and an Occasional Outing from Hollywood, the Western was Suffering from the Previous Decades "Overkill" on the Big and Small Screen.

The Genre also was Not Completely in Line with Trending Social-Issues that were Evolving and Expanding Beyond Black-Hat vs White-Hat Scenarios.

So the Production Team on this Outlier was Directed by Michael Moore, a Steadfast and Prolific "Second-Unit" Director that had a Long and Sold Resume on some "Block-Buster" Films.

The Cast, Featuring Robert Lansing, a Respectable B-Actor who Filled "Manly" Rolls on TV and in B-Movies.

Patrick Wayne, second-son of John, was an On-Screen Presence with Broad Shoulders and a Toothy, Handsome Smile and Tried the Acting-Game with some Success.

The Supporting Cast was Stellar with Slim Pickens in a Rare Vile Villainous Outlaw Role, and He Chews the Scenes along with Strother Martin as a Typical Gutter-Trash, Immoral Snake.

Gloria Talbott, a Familiar Face in Many Sci-Fi Movies is the Love-Starved Spinster and Paul Fix is the Magistrate.

The Revenge-Chase is On, by Bounty-Hunter Lansing after Picken's Gang Murders and Rapes His Wife and Kills His Child and Burns-Down Their House.

The Off-Beat Script Adds Physical Handicaps that sends the Movie in a Bizarre Direction.

Worth a Watch.

This is a true unusual, surprising little western that you have to watch, enjoy - because you can only enjoy such a gem - and then talk about it to your movie buffs friends; don't keep it for you. Such a rare and terrific little movie, I repeat: so rare, deserves to be shared, discovered. The best example of what small productions can provide, because without any producers pressure. Yes, the best example, but every B movie is not the same. Beware. I saw this western in France, aired on a TV channel during the mid seventies and I never forgot it. Especially the second part. I guess Quentin Tarantino knows such a piece of jewel. How could it be else?

Eye for an Eye (1966) I would recommend this only for fans of Robert Lansing (which I am). From the very first strains of the guitar and whistling over the opening credits (which was absolutely awful) I seriously wondered how low the budget was.

Two crippled bounty hunters (one blinded and one with a crippled hand) team up to seek revenge. Sounds like good fuel for a satisfying plot but somehow the spirit keeps getting lost.

Strother Martin (love Strother) is up to his usual eccentric character performance. Same with the antagonist, Slim Pickens. Lansing is laconic as usual. A very young Clint Howard plays an overly ebullient child. Not that the character was oddly too loud but that Clint himself never uses his 'indoor' voice. Even at that early age.

But despite the mostly adequate performances the plodding pace and discouraging themes push me toward 'thumbs down'. No saving overall payoff for the 92 minute investment.

This summary is influenced somewhat because this reviewer has been a Robert Lansing fan as long as can be remembered. Every single time Lansing has acted in a production (TV, play, or movie), his performance has made me forget about the actor practicing a craft and to become engrossed in the role and the particular story. That is what makes a truly fine actor, in my opinion, and it is sad that Lansing had been unrecognized by the entertainment industry in general and not given more roles to portray during his career.

The story of Talion (aka An Eye For An Eye) is offbeat from the average western story, as it focuses on personal relationships between humans more than the shoot-'em-up aspects of the Old West. There is action in the gunfighting, a bit of history in Ben's background, the creativity used to surmount physical shortcomings in order to achieve a set goal, a view of family life in the hardscrabble wilderness of the 1800s, the dignity with which an aging ranch owner strives to raise his children to be honest, confidant,and respectable adults, and even some romance in the longing the early settlers must have experienced when living in a relatively lawless location and era, often far away from neighbors, family, and the diversions of city or even town life. And, it contains a lesson in morality and conscience in that the story shows even a mature adult can learn to see life from a different perspective, regardless of the events of the past.

The general production values were appropriate if not lavish, but with what appeared to be the use of genuine antiques for household props. The cinematography was outstanding, lending a real feel to what life on an isolated ranch must have been like. The ending was unusual as well, and not predictable. This is not a large production or epic western (such as THE BIG COUNTRY which was peppered with big name stars), but a lonely and tender but still a little gritty family-appropriate production.

Serve a batch of buttered popcorn, a bowl of chocolate and nuts to munch on, and your favorite beverage over ice. Curl up on the couch and turn the lights down low to enjoy this simple story of the Old West.