“Mackenna’s Gold” is a western treasure hunt film that follows Sheriff Mackenna on a perilous mission to find a legendary canyon of gold. Along the way, he faces dangerous obstacles and battles the ruthless bandit, Colorado. The film features stunning visuals, intense action scenes, and a star-studded cast with performances that shine like gold.
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Review
Mackenna’s Gold: A Treasure of Cinematic Brilliance
Mackenna’s Gold is a 1969 American Western film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, and Telly Savalas. The film’s plot revolves around a group of men led by the ruthless bandit, Colorado, played by Sharif, who are searching for gold in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. The movie has become a cult classic and is considered one of the best Western films ever made.
The Storyline
The storyline follows Sheriff Mackenna (Peck), who is ordered to transport a group of prisoners through Apache territory to Yuma prison. Along the way, they stumble upon an old map that leads them to the location of gold hidden deep in the mountains. Greed takes over their minds as they set out on a dangerous journey to retrieve it.
Their obsession with finding this treasure eventually leads them into conflict with the Apache tribe that fiercely guards the land where the gold is hidden. Mackenna will have to make a difficult decision when his loyalties are tested between protecting his prisoners and fulfilling his own desires for wealth.
Plot Twist
One of the most interesting twists in the plot is when Mackenna discovers that the map was planted by an Apache warrior named Prairie Dog, played by Iron Eyes Cody. He intended for Mackenna and company to find the gold so that it can be used as bait to lure Colorado into a trap.
Casts
The casting for this film was exceptional; Gregory Peck plays an excellent sheriff who battles with his morals between right and wrong while being torn between loyalty to his job and duty versus greed for money. Omar Sharif plays Colorado with remarkable finesse as he portrays a character who is willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants.
Quote
The quote “Everybody has their price,” uttered by Colorado, has become iconic in Western cinema culture, as it perfectly encapsulates the greed and lust for wealth that drive the characters in this film to desperate measures.
Acting and Characters
Peck’s performance in Mackenna’s Gold is strong, portraying his character with a sense of moral authority. Sharif’s performance is devilishly charming, as he plays one of the most sinister yet alluring villains in western cinema history. Telly Savalas also delivers an outstanding performance as Sergeant Tibbs, providing comic relief throughout much of the film.
History
Mackenna’s Gold was based on a novel of the same name by Heck Allen. The film was initially intended to be produced by Columbia Pictures until production was passed on to MGM Studios, which provided an increased budget resulting in more extensive filming.
Score and Popularity
The score for Mackenna’s Gold was composed by Quincy Jones and has become a classic piece of music in its own right. The popularity of this movie has continued through the years due to its great storyline, superb acting performances, stunning cinematography, and exceptional music score.
Filming
Filming took place in Durango Mexico and Utah with some scenes filmed at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This iconic location is featured in many notable westerns such as Stagecoach (1939), The Searchers (1956), and Forrest Gump (1994). Some shots were also filmed at Lake Powell, where several scenes were filmed underwater during a diving sequence.
Evaluation
Mackenna’s Gold received mixed reviews upon release primarily because it followed the popular Western genre tropes too closely. However, over time it has been recognized as a classic Western movie that combines a thrilling adventure with mesmerizing visuals.
Awards
The movie did not win any major awards but was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score for Quincy Jones’ musical composition.
Cinematography
The cinematography used in Mackenna’s Gold is nothing short of breathtaking. The panoramic views and camera angles used to capture the western landscape provide an immersive experience for viewers. The visuals are stunning and add another dimension to the movie’s plot.
Opinion
Many critics have remarked that Mackenna’s Gold is more than just a Western adventure film, but a commentary on greed, power, and corruption. It explores themes of temptation and human nature that speak to people even today.
Scenes
One of the most memorable scenes in Mackenna’s Gold is when the group reaches a river that they must cross to reach their destination. Here, we get an underwater sequence that adds depth to the movie’s visuals while also giving audiences a sense of the challenge that lies ahead.
Gossip
Rumors circulated around Hollywood at the time that Gregory Peck was unhappy during filming and had conflicts with director J. Lee Thompson. However, despite these rumors, both Peck and Thompson went on to work together again in the 1978 film The White Buffalo.
Soundtracks
The score by Quincy Jones has become a classic in its own right, featuring a blend of traditional western music with a hint of jazz elements. The music reinforces and emphasizes certain character traits or personalities contributing to shaping a cohesive tone for the film.
Analysis
Mackenna’s Gold explores deeper themes such as morality and consequences of greed while keeping audiences entertained with intensifying suspense, action-packed sequences throughout its runtime; making it one of those rare films capable of maintaining balance between entertainment value and substance.
Special Effects
Despite being released in 1969, Mackenna’s Gold boasts some impressive special effects for its time – including shooting underwater scenes which were quite dodgy back then.
Development
The development process behind Mackenna’s Gold saw numerous rewrites before finally settling on Heck Allen’s original storyline adapted for screen by Carl Foreman who also served as executive producer alongside Dimitri Tiomkin.
Dialogue
The scriptwriters made Mackenna’s Gold interesting by adding a variety of vivid dialogues that are impressive in their delivery and execution. These dialogues are witty, funny, and often carry an underlying message, making it a story that resonates with the audience.
Crews
The movie’s production crew was made up of some accomplished individuals; including J. Lee Thompson as director, John Barry as art director, and photographer Joseph MacDonald.
Criticism
Mackenna’s Gold received mixed reviews upon its initial release. Critics noted that it did not break new ground in the Western genre but instead relied too heavily on well-worn tropes common to the genre.
Production
The film’s production was plagued with various challenges from budgetary constraints to location challenges, which necessitated shoots at diverse locations.
Editing
In some instances, Mackenna’s Gold editing felt somewhat disjointed or abrupt. However, such instances weren’t many enough to detract from the film’s overall quality.
Conclusion
Overall Mackenna’s Gold is a tale about morality, greed, and human nature that has stood the test of time. It is a perfect example of how great storytelling coupled with stunning visuals and a brilliant music score can elevate a movie from merely being entertaining to something more profound. Whether you’re a fan of Western movies or not – this classic film is worth watching for both entertainment value and substance.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 128
- Release : 1969-03-18
- Genre : Adventure, Action, Western
- Cast : Gregory Peck as Marshal MacKenna, Omar Sharif as Colorado, Camilla Sparv as Inga Bergmann, Julie Newmar as Hesh-Ke, Telly Savalas as Sergeant Tibbs
- Crew : Carl Foreman as Screenplay, Carl Foreman as Producer, Dimitri Tiomkin as Producer, Quincy Jones as Music, J. Lee Thompson as Director
- Popularity 11.741
- Budget : $7,000,000
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Highroad Productions, Columbia Pictures
- Summary : A bandit kidnaps a Marshal who has seen a map showing a gold vein on Indian lands, but other groups are looking for it too, while the Apache try to keep the secret location undisturbed.
- Tagline : A Giant of a movie
