Unforgiven (DVD)

The western has always been a curious genre for me. It’s one with little or no historical precedent in this country, what with the events taking place mainly in 19th century mid-America and yet it still captivates when this particular type of movie is done well. I was brought up on a diet of the cheroot chewing, man-with-no-name brand of gunslinger, celebrating the general machismo that went with the whole cowboy thing. I guess it was only a matter of time before revisionism hit the archetypal US western and in 1992, Clint Eastwood did for cowboy movies what Sam Peckinpah had managed with war films years earlier (note “Cross of Iron” in particular). William ...  Read the complete review

...and then sometimes they actually do. When The Unforgiven was given what is probably its umpteenth television showing last night this was one viewer who was determined not to miss it. I can't say I've been an enormous fan of everything Clint Eastwood has ever done, particularly in recent years, but you can't deny that his presence in Westerns is the stuff of cinematic legend and this would be the only one of those which has escaped my viewing so far. As the 'man with no name' in a string of spaghetti westerns Clint Eastwood was superb, but then of course he had a great supporting cast and a superb director in Sergio Leone(not forgetting ...  Read the complete review

1992 saw a sort of revival attempt at the modern Western, with Clint Eastwood taking up the reins in control of this epic and excellent piece of Western cinema. It is one of those films which sees a main plot line that is not the primary focus of the film, and as such it is entirely engrossing. In many ways, the appeal of the film is more the superb acting from the four main top billing actors, rather than anything else. Following a vicious attack on a prostitute, a hefty sum is placed on the heads of the two men responsible. Former gun for hire Will Munny (Eastwood) finds himself persuaded to put on his guns one last time to seek the perps and claim the ...  Read the complete review

Thought I'd crack this film on again today, and I thought; this deserves a review! WE all know that Clint is the king of the west when it comes to films, with absolute classics such as 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly' which remains in my opinion the best western ever made. And now many years on, Clint is an old man, the big question is; can he still make a great western? The answer to that of course is yes, but this is a very different kettle of fish to films such as the 'Dollars' trilogy (which were phenomenal films). It is a very dark film, and would be what I'd call an intelligent western, as it deals with more issues behind the killing, rather than just ...  Read the complete review

~ ~ I was totally astounded to discover that this outstanding movie only has one opinion written about it here at dooyoo. Forget your John Wayne’s and your run of the mill Western movies that glamorise the Wild West. If you enjoy cowboy films, then take a look at this offering “Unforgiven” (1992), that shows you what life was really like in the pioneering days in America, warts and all. Directed by veteran Hollywood actor Clint Eastwood, who cut his teeth in westerns such as “Rawhide” on TV (1960’s), and spaghetti westerns like “For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” from the ...  Read the complete review