Lawman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sheriff with a serious ‘by the book’ complex ruins everyone’s day because some cowboys had a bit too much fun and accidentally a guy, leading to a whole lot of unnecessary shootouts and a really depressing ending.

🍿 Lawman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Incident in Bannock

A group of cowboys from Sabbath, celebrating in Bannock, accidentally kill an old man with a stray bullet during a drunken celebration. Unaware of the severity of their actions, they return to their town, leaving Bannock’s marshal, Jered Maddox, to deal with the aftermath.

Maddox Arrives in Sabbath

Marshal Jered Maddox arrives in Sabbath to arrest the men responsible for the death in Bannock. He faces resistance from the townspeople and Cotton Ryan, the local marshal who is more interested in maintaining peace than enforcing justice. Maddox’s unwavering commitment to the law puts him at odds with the community.

Confrontation with Bronson

Maddox confronts Vincent Bronson, the powerful and respected rancher who employs the men he seeks. Bronson offers restitution for the death, but Maddox refuses to compromise, insisting on bringing the men back to Bannock for trial. This sets off a series of violent confrontations as Maddox attempts to uphold the law.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox (Burt Lancaster): A stern and unwavering lawman who arrives in Sabbath to arrest cattlemen for a murder.
• Sabbath Cotton Ryan (Robert Ryan): An aging and reluctant Sabbath marshal, conflicted between his past reputation and present desire for peace.
• Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb): A powerful and influential land baron in Sabbath, determined to protect his men from Maddox’s uncompromising pursuit.
• Vernon Adams (Robert Duvall): A small rancher among the cattlemen sought by Maddox, caught between loyalty and fear.
• Laura Shelby (Sheree North): A woman with a past and Maddox’s former love interest, she tries to soften Maddox’s determination.
• Harvey Stenbaugh (Albert Salmi): Bronson’s oldest friend who is killed after picking a fight with Maddox.
• Crowe Wheelwright (Richard Jordan): A young gunfighter, part of Bronson’s group, who becomes a symbol of the changing West.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox: “I’m gonna take these men back with me, or kill ’em where they stand.” – Maddox states his unwavering resolve to bring the accused to justice, regardless of the consequences.
• Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan: “That’s my trouble. Everybody remembers me at Fort Bliss.” – Ryan laments his past glory, highlighting the burden of his reputation.
• Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox: “I’m a lawman. Do you know what a lawman is, Crowe? He’s a killer of men.” – Maddox reveals the grim reality of his profession to a young gunfighter.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $5,940,000
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Lawman Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed how Lawman played with the typical Western tropes. Lancaster’s portrayal of Maddox is so stoic it’s almost unsettling. The movie does a fantastic job of showing how stubborn adherence to the law, even when intentions are good, can lead to disastrous outcomes. That ending though! It definitely makes you question everything you thought you knew about Maddox’s character. Robert Ryan is also outstanding as the weary sheriff who’s seen it all.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in moral dilemmas and character studies”
  • “Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Death”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB User: “Lawman takes a nuanced view of law and order. Burt Lancaster is the Sheriff of Bannock, who has traveled to Sabbath to arrest cowboys responsible for a death in Bannock. Despite a lack of cooperation, Maddox remains determined to do his duty. This is a story of right versus wrong along the lines of `High Noon’. The death was not deliberate murder. Maddox himself admits that, even if he succeeds in bringing the men back to Bannock, they are unlikely to receive condign punishment. A complex film that asks difficult questions without providing easy answers.
• IMDB User: “This movie is a work of art. Gerald Wilson’s script functions almost as a poem on the themes of “man,” “animal,” “law,” and euphemism. Micheal Winner’s direction is beyond good. Lancaster is THE great underrated American actor. Ryan equals Burt’s performance. Lee J. Cobb has less to do but does a heck of a lot with it. The supporting actors are, to a person, superb. This is a film that challenges the macho stereotype and finds it wanting.
• IMDB User: “There are many fine performances in this film. It’s about good & evil, yes, but who is good & who is evil? Does “good” have to be 100% good & does “evil” have to be 100% evil? That’s what this film is about. Just when we think we’ve figured out who is mostly good & who is mostly evil, we find that even then we may be mistaken. Throughout the film, it seems easy to understand Burt Lancaster’s character. That’s what makes the ending so shocking & so thought provoking.

Audience Reactions

Burt Lancaster’s steely performance as the unyielding lawman captivated viewers.: The complex moral themes and thought-provoking ending resonated with audiences.

The supporting cast, especially Robert Ryan and Lee J. Cobb, were praised for their nuanced performances.: The film’s realistic portrayal of violence and its challenge to the traditional Western hero/villain dynamic were appreciated.

Overall Consensus: Lawman is a thought-provoking Western that challenges the traditional hero archetype, with strong performances and a complex moral landscape.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Some scenes were shot in the same Western location town as Howard Hawks’s final film, Rio Lobo (1970).”
• “Michael Winner said that the crews of both films met in the middle of the town, as in a Western showdown, but without guns.”
• “The film was shot on location in Durango, Mexico during the summer of 1970.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lawman?

Lawman (1971) is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lawman, you might like these similar films:

• High Noon (1952): A lone lawman faces a town turning against him, highlighting themes of duty and isolation.
• The Unforgiven (1992): Explores the complexities of justice and the burden of violence in the Old West, questioning the heroic archetype.
• Hang ‘Em High (1968): Deals with themes of vengeance and a flawed justice system, paralleling Maddox’s uncompromising pursuit of the law.

🛒 Lawman Related Products

• Burt Lancaster: An American Life: A detailed biography exploring the life and career of Burt Lancaster, offering insight into his roles and impact on cinema, including his performance in ‘Lawman’.
• Classic Western Film Collection (DVD): A collection of classic Western movies, which may include similar films from the same era as Lawman. This collection would feature some of the best westerns.
• The Wild West: An Interactive History Adventure: An interactive history game or adventure book set in the Wild West, allowing players to explore and make choices that impact the story, mirroring the moral choices faced in ‘Lawman’.
• Western Movie Poster Collection: A collection of high-quality reproduction posters from classic Western films, including iconic imagery and artwork, for fans to display and collect.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lawman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lawman (Main Title)” – performed by Jerry Fielding
• “Crossing the Territory” – performed by Jerry Fielding

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lawman EP1 (2009) – Steven Seagal – Comedic TV Review

Want a good laugh while learning about Lawman? This video hilariously dissects an episode, pointing out all the absurdities! It’s a fun watch, even if you’re not familiar with the series.

The SAD EARLY END to the series LAWMAN’S answer to GUNSMOKE’S MISS KITTY, “LILY” PEGGIE CASTLE!

Ever wondered what made the Lawman TV show so great? This video breaks down the key characters and storylines, with some behind the scenes info! I found this to be very informative.

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