Lawman (1971)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(1,621 ratings)

In Lawman, Burt Lancaster is Jered Maddox, a dedicated marshal with an inflexible adherence to upholding the law at all costs. Riding into a nearby town to pick up a group of local carousers who, during a drunken spree, killed an old man, Maddox meets up with Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb). Bronson… More In Lawman, Burt Lancaster is Jered Maddox, a dedicated marshal with an inflexible adherence to upholding the law at all costs. Riding into a nearby town to pick up a group of local carousers who, during a drunken spree, killed an old man, Maddox meets up with Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb). Bronson is the local town boss, and Maddox discovers that the men he is looking for work for him. Unlike most western heavies, Maddox, although he is powerful and unscrupulous, abhors violence. But violence is something Maddox cultivates. A major confrontation between the reluctant Bronson and the intransigent Maddox builds -- particularly when Maddox enlists the help of weak-willed local sheriff Cotton Ryan (Robert Ryan). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Michael Winner
Written By: Gerald Wilson
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 4, 1971 Wide
On DVD: Sep 4, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
... wannabe thoughtful Western.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Slow but sure oater with stoic Lancaster.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
If you're a fan of westerns or you simply enjoy your action movies presented with some deeper concepts than "kill 'em all," this forgotten little flick is worth a look.

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Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

a classic tale of a lawman out to see justice served with no exceptions. this was a great flick unitl the end where the unexpected happens and not in a good way as a couple of the main characters change colors for no explained reason at all. justice becomes trivial, but the acting… More
a classic tale of a lawman out to see justice served with no exceptions. this was a great flick unitl the end where the unexpected happens and not in a good way as a couple of the main characters change colors for no explained reason at all. justice becomes trivial, but the acting was solid and the film had a great feel. overall this was pretty good.