The Lawless Breed (1952)

47% of users liked it
(99 ratings)

The Lawless Breed is based on the exploits of Texas bad man John Wesley Hardin, played here quite convincingly by Rock Hudson. The film takes the Cecil B. DeMille approach of condemning evil by showing as much evil as the censor will allow. After nearly an hour of unrepentant perfidy, Hardin settles… More The Lawless Breed is based on the exploits of Texas bad man John Wesley Hardin, played here quite convincingly by Rock Hudson. The film takes the Cecil B. DeMille approach of condemning evil by showing as much evil as the censor will allow. After nearly an hour of unrepentant perfidy, Hardin settles down to marry good woman Julie Adams. In middle age, he determines to steer his son clear of outlawry, resulting in a sentimental but non-maudlin finale. Directed by Raoul Walsh, who had given Rock Hudson his first screen role in Fighter Squadron, Lawless Breed was reportedly instrumental in landing Hudson as starring role in George Stevens' Giant (1956). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Raoul Walsh
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 3, 1953 Wide
On DVD: Jun 9, 1998

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Highly inaccurate biopic on legendary Texas outlaw John Wesley Hardin.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Indifferent Western about a repulsive outlaw, with some decent use of color as a saving grace.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Decent if a bit overdone western competently directed by Walsh. Hudson, right on the cusp of big time stardom with his next film Magnificient Obsession, is solid in the lead. The always reliable Julie Adams is fine if stuck with the thankless part of the whore with a heart of gold who… More
Decent if a bit overdone western competently directed by Walsh. Hudson, right on the cusp of big time stardom with his next film Magnificient Obsession, is solid in the lead. The always reliable Julie Adams is fine if stuck with the thankless part of the whore with a heart of gold who is redeemed by the love of a man. John Ireland appears in a dual role, he's fine in the one, the trusted uncle and a bit much in the other as Hudson's father although with the purple prose he has to deliver who can blame him for trying to make something out of it by going over the top.

Cast

            Rock Hudson as John Wesley Hardin

            Julie Adams as Rosie

            Mary Castle as Jane Brown

            John McIntire as John Clements

            Hugh O'Brian as Ike Hanley

            Dennis Weaver as Jim Clements

            Forrest Lewis as Zeke Jenkins

            Lee Van Cleef as Dirk Hanley

            Tom Fadden as Chick Noonan

            Race Gentry as John Hardin Jr.

            Richard Garland as Joe Clements

            Glenn Strange as Ben Hanley

            William Pullen as Joe Hardin

            Michael Ansara as Gus

            Stanley Blystone as Card Player

            Wheaton Chambers as Doc

            Alden 'Stephen' Chase as Judge

            Edward Earle as Henry Johnson

            Gertrude Graner as Aunt Em

            I. Stanford Jolley
            
            Ethan Laidlaw as Clerk

            Paul Newlan as Race Track Judge

            Emory Parnell as Bartender

            Carl Pitti as Sheriff Conlon

            Buddy Roosevelt as Deputy Sheriff

            Dick Wessel as Marv the Bartender

            Hank Worden
            
            Francis Ford as Old Timer

            George Wallace I as Bully Brady

            Thomas E. Jackson as McNelly

            Ned Davenport as Blunt

            Robert Anderson as Wild Bill Hickok
See full cast