This attempt to give the legendary Lone Ranger character an origin story is passably entertaining, but could have used better lead actors and a more interesting tale to tell. As a directorial effort by a noted cinematographer (William A. Fraker) that is shot by one of his peers (Laszlo Kovacs), it's not a surprise that the movie LOOKS great. The beautiful scenery looks magnificent in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, and John Barry supplies a typically engaging music score.
Klinton Spilsbury stars as John Reid, who as a child was orphaned thanks to maniacal bandits. He befriended the young Indian Tonto, and was adopted by Tontos' tribe. As an adult, he prepares to begin a career in law, but fate intervenes. His brother Dan (John Bennett Perry) is a Texas Ranger, who with his troops rides off to apprehend the nefarious villain "Butch" Cavendish (Christopher Lloyd) and his minions. But Cavendish and company ambush the Rangers, and only John survives. Nursed back to health by the adult Tonto (Michael Horse), he puts into motion a plan of revenge, while wearing a mask to obscure his identity. He must also rescue U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant (Jason Robards), who is kidnapped by Cavendishs' goons.
Spilsbury is a very handsome man, but unfortunately he's just too bland as an actor. Even using James Keach to dub his lines doesn't really help. Horse gives his character pride and dignity, but he's not particularly charismatic either. Spilsburys' leading lady Juanin Clay (playing brave newspaper woman Amy Striker) is another debit, although she *is* certainly lovely. Lloyd is an okay villain, although he just doesn't project a lot of menace or intensity. Robards is a colorful President Grant, and he's among a solid supporting cast also including Matt Clark as a useless sheriff, David Hayward as one of the Rangers, and John Hart as Amys' uncle Lucas. Richard Farnsworth has a typically delightful cameo as Wild Bill Hickok.
Well intentioned but decidedly unmemorable, this movie may do the trick for dedicated Western fans. That narration by Merle Haggard, however, is intrusive and annoying.
Six out of 10.
Klinton Spilsbury stars as John Reid, who as a child was orphaned thanks to maniacal bandits. He befriended the young Indian Tonto, and was adopted by Tontos' tribe. As an adult, he prepares to begin a career in law, but fate intervenes. His brother Dan (John Bennett Perry) is a Texas Ranger, who with his troops rides off to apprehend the nefarious villain "Butch" Cavendish (Christopher Lloyd) and his minions. But Cavendish and company ambush the Rangers, and only John survives. Nursed back to health by the adult Tonto (Michael Horse), he puts into motion a plan of revenge, while wearing a mask to obscure his identity. He must also rescue U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant (Jason Robards), who is kidnapped by Cavendishs' goons.
Spilsbury is a very handsome man, but unfortunately he's just too bland as an actor. Even using James Keach to dub his lines doesn't really help. Horse gives his character pride and dignity, but he's not particularly charismatic either. Spilsburys' leading lady Juanin Clay (playing brave newspaper woman Amy Striker) is another debit, although she *is* certainly lovely. Lloyd is an okay villain, although he just doesn't project a lot of menace or intensity. Robards is a colorful President Grant, and he's among a solid supporting cast also including Matt Clark as a useless sheriff, David Hayward as one of the Rangers, and John Hart as Amys' uncle Lucas. Richard Farnsworth has a typically delightful cameo as Wild Bill Hickok.
Well intentioned but decidedly unmemorable, this movie may do the trick for dedicated Western fans. That narration by Merle Haggard, however, is intrusive and annoying.
Six out of 10.