Robert TaylorThe Law and Jake Wade [DVD]

had never seen it before. i love westerns and loved this one. even my hubby, who doesn't watch westerns sat down and watched and liked it.

Not a classic like "my Darling Clementine" or "High Noon", of course, but this film has a lot to offer. Richard Widmark always made one of the best villains in the movies. He really puts on a show in this film, as the leader of a former Civil War guerilla outfit that just kept on robbing banks after the war ended. Widmark, and the scipt, give the character a borderline psychotic persona, with a 1950's-ish vague hint of homosexuality in his obsession with his former second in command, played by Robert Taylor.Taylor, playing the lead and title character in this movie, was a somewhat limited actor, often appearing stiff and wooden in his roles, though that did not keep him from getting some of the best movie roles of the 1950's - Ivahoe int he movie of the same name, Marcus Vinnicius in Quo Vadis. And he made some highly entertaining action films in the post-war years. In this film his unemotional stiffness works in his favor, as his character is unusually stoic, even for a western "hero". Not that Jake Wade is exactly a typical western hero. He used to be the gang's second in command, but now he's trying to reform, having become a well respected sheriff and engaged to one of the towns most eligible single girls. This film was probably the aging Taylor's last really good big screen role, and he pulls it off pretty well.The easily described plot is that Jake took off with some money after a robbery 1 year before, and hi old gang wants it back. Widmark's character Clint, wants more than just the money, he wants to punish Jake for having deserted him. The gang finds Jake and kidnaps both him and his fiancee and demands that Jake lead them to the loot. Jake knows they will kill him after he hands over the money, and he tries to reconcile with his fiancee, who is understandably confused and taken aback to learn of Jake's sordid past.The movie is a kind of a bridge (albeit one of many) between the less morally ambiguous westerns of the 1940's and 50's and the anti-heroic westerns of the 60's ad 70's.The tension builds up on the trail to the buried money, not only between Jake and his former comrades, but also between the gang members themselves, as they realize that Widmark's monomaniacal quest to get the money back is leading them all to almost certain death at the hand of hostile Indians.A nighttime fight with the Apaches, a little help from one of the old gang who still feels some friendship toward Jake, and a final showdown between Clint and Jake make up the cimax of the movie.Terrific location filming in the Alabama Hills at the base of California's Mount Whitney and in Death Valley add to the quality of the picture.It'll never be considered one of the best westerns ever made, but it's a good story and an entertaining flick.

Robert Taylor (albeit not initially well-known for westerns) and Richard Widmark (the quintessential old hollywood villain) make an unlikely duo in this rip-roaring western. Jake Wade (Taylor) is a lawman who suddenly returns to his troubled past by freeing his old pal from jail. Clint Hollister (Widmark) learns that the money from the robbery that got him imprisoned is stashed somewhere far away. It will take much effort to reach the "hidden treasure". An attempted escape by Wade and his woman and a Comanche raid occur during their expedition, but these inconveniences don't exactly wear Clint out. He's determined until the very end of the film. Jake and Clint had a very long history, and were each other's greatest companions at one time. But of course, Clint feels bitter and resentful towards Jake for walking out on him after the botched robbery. Coincidentally, he's greatful that he freed his old pal in the first place. This love-hate relationship is very obvious, with Clint poking fun at Jake and reminiscing their past all throughout. Although Jake loves Peggy, she seems to be third-wheeling the former duo. After all, Jake put her life at risk to free his old buddy. My favorite scene has to be the Comanche attack, it was pure chaos with arrows being thrown around everywhere. Overall, this is a very solid western in my book.

Robert Taylor and Richard Widmark make excellent opponents in this tale of an ended partnership, Taylor having gone straight and Widmark a confirmed outlaw. Both Taylor and his fiancee Patricia Owens get abducted by Widmark and company because Widmark wants $20,000 in gold that Taylor buried just before he reformed.John Sturges directed "The Law and Jake Wade" with the same skill he brought to other westerns. The story moves quickly and use of California desert and mountain locations is outstanding. Unfortunately, some night scenes were filmed using indoor sets which not only don't look real but have painted scenery not geographically compatible with the actual photography. Having pointed this out, I am willing to make allowances.Richard Widmark had a unique style of villainy--clever sarcasm, slight hesitations in delivery of his lines, and, yes, we do get to hear him giggle a few times a la Tommy Udo from "Kiss of Death". He was also a master of sudden mood changes, going from pleasant to homicidal in a few seconds, and always believable.As great as the contributions of the stars and director are, I have to give top credit for the success of "The Law and Jake Wade" to screenwriter William Bowers.Bowers chose to have Widmark's outlaw be a master of dry wit. Bowers later had James Garner speak in much the same manner, albeit as the hero, in "Support Your Local Sheriff". Some of what Widmark says is borderline anachronistic but that only adds to the interest. Widmark's character is not fun--he's actually quite psychotic--but his way with words is still very clever.Henry Silva is also in this. Like Widmark, he's supposed to be a really nice guy and family man in real life, but you'd never know it to see his movies."The Law and Jake Wade" is not a top western classic but it still ranks quite high. It's worth seeing just to find out why Widmark's character never got to go to the Swiss Alps, and has other content to set it apart from usual Western fare.

A rather "middle on the tree" western. Watchable but easily forgotten.

Two of the best actors in a exciting film!

Superb western, anything with Richard Widmark is entertainment guaranteed. Presented in letterbox widescreen format, enhanced for widescreen TV's. The snowcapped Sierras provide awesome backdrops for the good cast of Robert Taylor, Patricia Owens, Henry Silva.

bought this for a friend he says it plays ok,good film worth watching

Great western from director John Sturges (most famous for The Magnicent Seven and The Great Escape). Bad man Richard Widmark really dominates this film. Deserves to be much better know. If you like this I highly recommend watching Last Train from Gun Hill from the same director.Plays in English without any subtitles apart from two very brief moments both at the beginning the film title and a watch shop sign.