When the Legends Die **** (1972, Richard Widmark, Frederic Forrest, Luana Anders) – Classic Movie Review 9,801

A remarkable, outstanding performance by Richard Widmark heads producer-director Stuart Millar’s elegant, attractively low-key, laid-back 1972 contemporary Western film When the Legends Die.

Robert Dozier’s screenplay is based on the novel by Hal Boland about a young, rebellious Ute Indian called Tom Black Bull (superb playing from young Frederic Forrest) whose skill with horses attracts ageing rodeo cowboy star Red Dillon (Widmark) to take him on as an apprentice. Tom Black Bull struggles between leaving the reservation and entering the rodeo life. Red Dillon struggles between his talent and his drinking problem. The two men come to rely on one another, but at the same time they repel one another.

The backdrop of dusty towns, endless travelling and scruffy motels is superbly realised. But it is the touching and funny partnership at the emotionally and psychologically intense film’s heart that makes it such a winner.

Also in the cast are Luana Anders as Mary, Vito Scotti as Dillon’s caretaker Meo, Herbert Nelson as Dr Wilson, John War Eagle as Blue Elk, Tillman Box as young Indian boy Tom Black Bull, John Gruber, Gerry Walberg, Jack Mullaney, Malcolm Curley, Roy Engel and Rex Holman.

The screenplay written by Robert Dozier is freely adapted from the 1963 American novel When The Legends Die, written by Hal Borland, updating it from the start of the 20th century to 1972 and cutting most of its plot, basically using only the novel’s middle section.

The title is taken from an old saying: ‘When the legends, die the dreams end; when the dreams end, there is no more greatness.’

The film’s budget is $1,520,000.

When the Legends Die runs 107 minutes, is made by Sagaponack Films, is shot by Richard H Kline in DeLuxe Color and is released by Twentieth Century-Fox on October 19, 1972.

The cast are Richard Widmark as Red Dillon, Frederic Forrest as Tom Black Bull, Luana Anders as Mary, Vito Scotti as caretaker Meo, Herbert Nelson as Dr Wilson, John War Eagle as Blue Elk, John Gruber as Clyde ‘Tex’ Walker, Garry Walberg as School Superintendent, Jack Mullaney as Gas Station Attendant, Malcolm Curley as school principal Benny Grayback, Roy Engel as Sam Turner, Rex Holman as Neil Swenson, Mel Gallagher as Cowboy, Tillman Box as Young Tom Black Bull, Sondra Pratt as Angie.

Frederic Forrest (December 23, 1936 – June 23, 2023) broke through in When the Legends Die, which earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer. He went on to gain Academy and Golden Globe Award nominations as Best Supporting Actor for  The Rose (1979) and collaborate with Francis Coppola on five films: The Conversation (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979), One from the Heart (1982), Hammett (1982), and Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9,801

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com