The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)

  • 71% of critics liked it
    (7 reviews)

  • 67% of users liked it
    (3,481 ratings)

Paul Newman plays the title role in John Huston's surreal, revisionist western as the infamous Texas hanging judge. Upon arriving in the tiny West Texas town of Vinegaroon, Roy Bean draws a moustache on a wanted poster of himself, marches into a saloon, and declares his presence. He is immediately… More

Play Trailer

PG, 2 hr.
Directed By
John Huston
Written By
John Milius
Genres
Western, Classics, Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 18, 1972 Wide
On DVD
Jun 3, 2003
Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

    Milius' screenplay is acridly flavorful, Huston gives it a mellow reading

  • Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com

    Newman and bear: Good. Movie: Bad. It's a toss up, but I vote for hanging.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Tim S


    Really entertaining film and it owes a lot to what I think is one of Paul Newman's best performances. I enjoyed the film and it's funny watching this and realizing what a pot head John Huston was. The film looks gorgeous and it's both hilarious and sad at the same time.… More

  • Ken S


    If for the crazy Albino alone...this movie is fan-fuck'n-tastic

  • Walter M


    At the start of "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean," the title character(Paul Newman) is not yet a member of the legal profession. Quite the opposite, in fact, as he is an outlaw in the badlands west of the Pecos, intent on bragging, drinking and whoring but is instead… More

  • Moe E


    My parents took us kids with them to see this film when it was released. I have to assume that they thought this would be a western/comedy in the same vein as Cat Ballou, which unfortunately it wasn't. I can still remember the look on my father's face as we were leaving the… More

  • Christopher B


    A really bizarre Stacy Keach performance is one of the highlights in this excellent western.

Cast

See full cast

Trailers & Clips

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