Chisum (1970)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(7,230 ratings)

John Wayne toplines this biography of the cattle owner John Simpson Chisum, a controversial figure who was the most powerful man in New Mexico during the Wild West era. A founder and prominent citizen in the town of Lincoln, Chisum is slow to act when ruthless land baron Lawrence Murphy (Forrest… More John Wayne toplines this biography of the cattle owner John Simpson Chisum, a controversial figure who was the most powerful man in New Mexico during the Wild West era. A founder and prominent citizen in the town of Lincoln, Chisum is slow to act when ruthless land baron Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) moves in on several local businesses and takes them over. By the time Chisum and his ally, fellow rancher Henry Tunstall (Patrick Knowles), decide to go to the law, Murphy's already bought and paid for influence there, as well. The only recourse left to the cattlemen is to take Murphy on in all-out range war that embroils everyone in the county, including Tunstall's hand Billy the Kid Bonney (Geoffrey Deuel) and his comrade Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett). Screenwriter and producer Andrew J. Fenady based the script for Chisum (1970) on his own short story, a very loosely fact-based account of Chisum, Billy the Kid and their involvement in the Lincoln County wars. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Andrew V. McLaglen, Andrew Mc Laglen
Written By: Andrew J. Fenady
Genres: Western, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 29, 1970 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2003
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Like other Wayne movies, there's complete identification between reel and real life: Chisum is described as "fat wealthy, tough, trusting, stubborn, generous, and sentimental."
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A stylish big-budget rousing range war Western that is a gimmicky mix of myth and hokum.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Solid if unspectacular Wayne outing.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

The best of the John Wayne westerns directed by Andrew V. McLagden, this sprawling epic centers around the revenge sought by Billy the Kid after his mentor is murder by the corrupt, land-grabbing bad guys. These scenes looked familiar since I last watched 1988's <i>Young… More
The best of the John Wayne westerns directed by Andrew V. McLagden, this sprawling epic centers around the revenge sought by Billy the Kid after his mentor is murder by the corrupt, land-grabbing bad guys. These scenes looked familiar since I last watched 1988's <i>Young Guns</i>.
xGary X

A pretty bog standard outing for the duke. It ticks all the relevant horse opera boxes, but lacks the inspiration of his collaborations with John Ford.

Cast

            John Wayne as John Chisum

            Forrest Tucker as Lawrence Murphy

            Christopher George as Dan Nodeen

            Ben Johnson as James Pepper

            Glenn Corbett as Pat Garrett

            Andrew Prine as Alex McSween

            Bruce Cabot as Sheriff Brady

            Geoffrey Deuel as Billy "The Kid" Bonney

            Pamela McMyler as Sallie Chisum

            Patric Knowles as Henry Tunstall

            Richard Jaeckel as Jess Evans

            Lynda Day George as Sue McSween

            John Agar as Patton

            Lloyd Battista as Neemo

            Robert Donner as Morton

            Ray Teal as Justice Wilson

            Edward Faulkner as Dolan

            Ron Soble as Bowdre

            John Mitchum as Baker

            Alan Baxter as Gov. Axtell

            Alberto Morin as Delgado

            William Bryant as Jeff

            Pedro Armendariz Jr. as Ben

            Christopher Mitchum as O'Folliard

            Abraham Sofaer as White Buffalo

            Gregg Palmer as Riker

            Jim Burk
            
            Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez as Mexican Rancher

            Glenn Langan as Dudley

            Bob Morgan
            
            John M. Pickard as Aggressive sergeant

            Chuck Roberson as A Trail Herder

            Ralph Volkie as Blacksmith

            Hank Worden as Stage Depot Clerk

            Eddy Donno
            
            Chris George
            
See full cast