IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
After being released from prison, former gun-fighter John Wesley Hardin hopes to have his autobiography published in order to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.After being released from prison, former gun-fighter John Wesley Hardin hopes to have his autobiography published in order to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.After being released from prison, former gun-fighter John Wesley Hardin hopes to have his autobiography published in order to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.
Julie Adams
- Rosie McCoy
- (as Julia Adams)
Victor Adamson
- Pianist
- (uncredited)
Kenneth Alton
- Yankee Corporal
- (uncredited)
Robert Anderson
- Marshal Wild Bill Hickok
- (uncredited)
Jean Andren
- Amy Johnson
- (uncredited)
Michael Ansara
- Gus Hanley
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real John Wesley Hardin was a sadistic, sociopathic killer who murdered at least 43 people, many from ambush, some shot in the back and one for snoring too loudly. The actual number of people he killed is still unknown. A raging alcoholic, many of his most murderous sprees were fueled by his prodigious consumption of the almost toxic hard liquor of those days.
- GoofsAt the beginning of the movie, when Wes is practicing in the barn with his 6 shooter, he fires 8 consecutive shots without reloading.
- Quotes
Capt. W.H. McNally: John Wesley Hardin has made the name of Texas stick in the nostrils of justice.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue: Texas State Penitentiary-1896
The"Badmen"of the West, the Jameses, the Daltons, the Ringos, and Youngers, are now part of American folk-lore. Research has added another name to the list- JOHN WESLEY HARDIN.
Hardin's story is unique because it was written by the man himself. This extraordinary testament, now a collector's item, was published in Seguin, Texas in 1896.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Rock Hudson's Home Movies (1992)
Featured review
A forgotten classic
It was made to a formula and revolves around most of the cliches in the Western handbook but it was hard not to enjoy this film.
It is based on the life of the famous Texan John Wesley Hardin. His youth was shaped by the Civil War and by his preacher father. When his father forbids him to practise shooting young Wes reckons its about time to leave home and seek his fortune. Almost immediately he kills a local gunslinger and plunges into the life of a rootin tootin cowboy, gambler and outlaw.
It has a classic opening a dignified man walking out of the prison gates, shaking hands with the warden and sniffing the air of freedom. It has an equally recognisable ending, back at the ranch to see how his wife and family have managed during the long years of incarceration.
The final scenes of the film are lovely, it won't spoil the film to say he learned from his experiences and lived a long and happy life.
There is nothing new in this film. Although it claims to be an autobiography, it is one of countless 1950's Westerns with a theme of a young man seeking adventure and finding redemption. The real strength of the movie is its star Rock Hudson, barrel chested and manly, who shoots, rides, kisses, gambles and drinks as well as any of his contemporaries. One of the baddies is a young Lee Van Cleef who easily steals scenes from his fellow wrong-doers.
It won't change your life, the way "Shane" might have done but it won't hurt you to watch it, and to remember Rock Hudson in the way he should be remembered.
It is based on the life of the famous Texan John Wesley Hardin. His youth was shaped by the Civil War and by his preacher father. When his father forbids him to practise shooting young Wes reckons its about time to leave home and seek his fortune. Almost immediately he kills a local gunslinger and plunges into the life of a rootin tootin cowboy, gambler and outlaw.
It has a classic opening a dignified man walking out of the prison gates, shaking hands with the warden and sniffing the air of freedom. It has an equally recognisable ending, back at the ranch to see how his wife and family have managed during the long years of incarceration.
The final scenes of the film are lovely, it won't spoil the film to say he learned from his experiences and lived a long and happy life.
There is nothing new in this film. Although it claims to be an autobiography, it is one of countless 1950's Westerns with a theme of a young man seeking adventure and finding redemption. The real strength of the movie is its star Rock Hudson, barrel chested and manly, who shoots, rides, kisses, gambles and drinks as well as any of his contemporaries. One of the baddies is a young Lee Van Cleef who easily steals scenes from his fellow wrong-doers.
It won't change your life, the way "Shane" might have done but it won't hurt you to watch it, and to remember Rock Hudson in the way he should be remembered.
helpful•265
- shell-26
- Feb 19, 2000
- How long is The Lawless Breed?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,300,000
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content