PlotAndrew V. McLaglen directs the Western drama The Rare Breed, based on the real-life introduction of English Hereford cattle to the American West in the 1880s. Maureen O'Hara plays Martha Price, an widowed Englishwoman who convinces rancher Alexander Bowen (Brian Keith) to use her new cattle breed. James Stewart stars as ranch hand Sam Burnett, a rambler who agrees to take the rare bull to Texas in order to breed it with the longhorns. He also accepts a bribe along the way from the lawless Taylor (Alan Caillou). The determined Martha and her daughter Hilary (Juliet Mills) demand to go along for the trip, leading to Burnett having to rescue them from several bouts of Western-style danger. Soon Bowen loses faith in the breeding idea, but Burnett has grown to believe in the bull. The bull dies after the harsh winter, but Burnett saves one of its calves. He and Martha decide to start their own cattle ranch. Meanwhile, Hilary begins a romance with Bowen's son Jamie (Don Galloway). Also starring Jack Elam as swindler Deke Simons. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide Bonus Features - cc Original theatrical trailer
Actors James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Juliet Mills, Jack Elam, Don Galloway, David Brian, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey, Jr., Perry Lopez, Larry Domasin, Alan Caillou Director Producer AwardsRatingAudio- Sound : DD2
- Language : Eng/Fre
- Subtitles : Fre/Spa
Video- Screen : WSE
- Dar : 2.35:1
Review A middling Western, The Rare Breed at least gets points for focusing on an unusual (for a Hollywood Western) subject -- the cross-breeding of cattle, actually a very important chapter in the creation and sustenance of the American West. This in itself, of course, is not enough to sustain an entire film, and so screenwriter Richard Hardman has created a story that has all the elements for action and suspense. It has all the elements, as I say -- but somehow the elements don't really come together in a satisfying way. You watch Breed and understand how all the parts fit together, but they feel forced. At its heart, Breed seems to want to be less about plot and more about character, especially the character of Sam Burnett. But Burnett isn't interesting enough or complex enough to carry that much weight, which causes Breed to get a little bogged down. Andrew V. McLaglen's hamhanded direction doesn't help matters, especially when he goes overboard during the climactic search for the calf scene. As Burnett, Jimmy Stewart is good, but not as good as one expects him to be; he seems a bit distanced from the character. Maureen O'Hara comes off much better, as does Brian Keith (in spite of a sometimes-bizarre accent), but the best performance is Juliet Mills', which is fresh and engaging, and which mines humor that others might have missed. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide Product Info- Release Date : May 06, 2003
- Length : 97 Minutes
- Dvdsides : 1
- Dvddiscs : 1
- Upc : 025192262722
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DVD Drive or DVD Player
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