Sarentrol
Masterful Cinema
FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
John T. Ryan
IN AN ATTEMPT to move up the Hollywood food chain, the Duke's own company produced this very interesting Oater. This was his first time in calling all of the shots; being a sort of "Mini-Mogul." Of course, He would have his own production company; with any or all of the Major Hollywood Studios anxious to do business. But for the time being, he stayed where he had been under contract for so long; namely Republic Pictures.AS FOR THE film, it appears to have slipped into public domain; as it is one of those movies that appear on local channels so often. It is especially with the likes of PBS affiliates; along with the likes of SANTA FE TRAIL, OUR TOWN and THEY MADE ME A CRIMIINAL.THIS FACT SHOULD not act as a turn-off to any potential viewer; for it truly has so much to offer an audience.TO START WITH, it has such a great cast. In a roster that is worthy of a movie of Directors Frank Capra or John Ford, we have: Gail Russell, Harry Carey and Bruce Cabot join John Wayne and an equally impressive array of supporting players in a storyline that would appear to be singularly unique, a very unusual occurrence in "Tinseltown." WHAT WE MEAN is that ANGEL AND THE BADMAN covers all of the bases. Just ask; does it have action, great storyline, Romance, conflict, substantial sub-plots, redeeming social content, a morale and a happy ending? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes! THE STORY ALSO predates other movies in having the Christian Denomination called The Society of Friends playing a major role in its story. Better known as the Quakers, this film predates both FRIENDLY PERSUASION and HIGH NOON in making an appeal to the general public to perhaps emulate these people's outlook and general behavior on life.ANOTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDING aspect of ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is that it's one of those movies that one can enjoy again and again. So, when there is nothing else on late, just check your local PBS Affiliate and see if the're running it. (There's no pledge required!)*NOTE: * Ooohh, Lucky us here in Chicago, for we have three (3) PBS Stations! They are: WTTW Channel 11, WYCC Channel 20 and Lakeshore Public Television (NW Indiana & Chicago) Channel 56.
kai ringler
After years of running our main character a cowboy played by none other than the Duke decides that it's time to lay low for awhile,, after being shot,, he is taken in by a Quaker woman, who he eventualliy falls for,, he has to keep his past from her so he doesn't lose her,, he also has to hope that his past doesn't catch up to him , as one of his former partners is hanging around waiting for his speedy recovery. this movie shows a very different side of John Wayne that you don't get to see very often,, a quite reserved kind of solitude, instead of the gun toting,, angry man we see most of the time. Harry Carey also is very wonderful in this picture as is Gail Russel.. not a bad western at all as there is some action sequences and the Duke returns to form near the end of the movie.
Spikeopath
Angel and the Badman is written and directed by James Edward Grant. It stars John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Bruce Cabot, Irene Rich, Lee Dixon and Stephen Grant. Music is by Richard Hageman and cinematography by Archie J. Stout.Quirt Evans (Wayne), a notorious gunman is hurt and on the run. Taken in by The Worth's, a Quaker family, Quirt forms a "special" bond with daughter Penelope (Russell). With the law and other badmen on his tail, will Quirt change his ways before it's too late? John Wayne's first film as a producer and star is also his most romantic. That's not to say it lacks action or Wayne's fine tuning of his macho image is halted, because that's not the case, but this carries a dreamy like old fashioned value that has helped the film endear over the years. It's a touch too slow at times for its own good and runs for ten minutes longer than was needed, things that no doubt stunted its financial growth at the 1947 box office, but there is much to enjoy here.Technical values are high, from Stout's photography that beautifully realises locations in Sedona, Arizona (Monument Valley standing out, naturally!), to cast performances from Carey, Wayne and the gorgeous Miss Russell (chemistry unbound between the three actors), film never lacks for quality. Memorable scenes are plenty, such as The Duke sitting in a chair facing down three henchmen led by Cabot's Laredo Stevens; his gun empty, a free-for-all punch up in a saloon, and some very tender moments between Wayne and Russell. While narratively there's the deft pitching of Quaker values into a wild west setting.A lovely film which also manages to pump the adrenaline as well. 7.5/10DVD version viewed was Region 2 taken out of the John Wayne Out West 6 film Box Set. A good quality black and white print.
David_Brown
This film is an absolute masterpiece, and one of John Wayne's best. What people who have reviewed the film, have overlooked is the why behind the relationship behind Quirt Evans (Wayne), and Penelope Worth (Gail Russell), which is essentially she was a woman who was essentially put on Earth by God for Quirt, and vice versa. Without Penelope, he would have been doomed, either from the wounds he received prior to meeting her, or by McClintock (Harry Carey), or by some other means. There was a reviewer who said "She threw herself at Quirk.", which was really not true. She was a woman of tremendous faith and devotion, and thus knew that she and Quirt had been put together for a reason,by a higher authority. So that even when he left, she knew he would return, and in the most pivotal scene of the film (Spoilers ahead) where her after she almost dies, and gets a fever, a miracle occurs, and it goes away (Which Dr. Mangram (Tom Powers) acknowledges) and has her father take her to him, and was able prevent the showdown between Quirt and Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) where MCClintock would have killed Quirt. Quirt essentially knew the same thing, because he got tired of the wild life and came back to her. Finally, he was willing to give up his guns and become a farmer for Penelope. The simple reason is Quirt & Penelope were supposed to be together, and they would do whatever was necessary to remain together.
