Based on the novel "Brave Cowboy" by Edward Abbey, David Miller ably directs this Dalton Trumbo-scripted film about a modern day cowboy in New Mexico who gets himself thrown into jail when he finds that a friend is there. He plans on breaking the two of them out. The friend refuses to go, out of concerns for his family and not wanting to be on the run afterward, but the cowboy goes, heading on horseback to the mountains and, hopefully, Mexico, with the law on his tail using modern technology to try to track him down.
Director Miller and cinematographer Philip Tathrop splendidly capture the beauty, as well as ruggedness, of the American southwest in the scenes of pursuit with some truly striking black and white photography. The film's opening scene, in fact, with Douglas relaxing, his hat over his eyes, as he lies on the ground, a moment seen in so many other westerns, the peace suddenly shattered by the sonic sounds of jets flying overhead, is a wonderful metaphor for what is to follow. The film also features a remarkably well staged and intense bar fight between the cowboy and a mean spirited one armed veteran (played by an unbilled Bill Raisch, best known for television's The Fugitive series).
Douglas delivers one of his most relaxed and engaging performances as Jack Burns, a loner, as he calls himself, whose greatest love is for a horse, Whiskey, to whom he talks and gently scolds, at times, throughout the film. At the same time, though, the actor, has great chemistry with Gena Rowlands as the wife of his imprisoned friend. There's an unspoken special feeling between these two when they first sight one another in the film, and they afterwards share a few moments of great sensitivity. It's a shame that Douglas and Rowlands were never re-teamed on screen again.
Another highly effective performance in the film is that of Walter Matthau, as a gum chewing, laid back sheriff, in charge of pursuing Douglas in the wild countryside but who, for two cents, would probably just as soon like to see the cowboy get away. And, in contrast to Matthau, there is a mean spirited George Kennedy as a nasty prison guard who enjoys tormenting and beating up prisoners.
Lonely Are The Brave has a memorable,finale, one that will stay with you, as much as Douglas's quite extraordinary performance. This film is a little gem that is available on DVD and occasionally shown on Turner Classic Movies. Do yourself a favor and watch it if you can. You won't be disappointed.
