Lonely Are the Brave

Kirk Douglas has said that "Lonely Are The Brave" is his absolute favorite of all the movies he has done. It doesn't take much thought to determine why he feels this way. The movie's central character, Jack Burns, is a non-conformist, someone who always does things his way no matter what society may tell him differently. There are few other movie protagonists like this one. Other merit found in the movie includes some tense moments while Jack is on the run, plus a gutsy and unconventional ending that you probably couldn't get away with today.

If there is a flaw to be found in this good movie, it may be that some modern day viewers may object to the pacing. It takes about half of the movie before Jack is on the run, and some scenes do seem to run a little longer than they should. While every scene DOES provide some purpose, I think the movie would have been improved had several scenes been cut down in length slightly. But even without this correction, the movie is never boring and is always interesting.

I pity those who cannot, even in a small way, identify with Douglas' character, Jack Burns in this ageless work of art. This is a self described 'lonely man,' of no use to his true love( who has married his old friend) because he cannot share his life with anyone. He acknowledges that he is of no use to anyone. Rather he is a constant threat to whatever social order he encounters. The one time he makes a commitment, to his horse no less, he loses his edge. And probably his freedom. What a wonderful movie this is.It steeps itself in the fading of the West. While much of it is seemingly allegorical, there is also a truthfulness, and a tenderness in Burns search for escape over the mountains. Someone else has commented on the similarities between Burns and Bogart's rendition of Roy Earle in HIGH SIERRA. Surely any thoughtful movie goer has experienced that rush to the mountains, that sense that time has passed you by and you are not of this place.

Kirk Douglas shines in what is apparently his favorite role. Kirk plays John W. "Jack" Burns, a VERY independent minded cowboy who hears that an old friend, Paul Bondi (Michael Kane), is in prison for his efforts to help illegal immigrants. Jack works, and he works hard, to get himself locked up in the same prison. There he appeals to Paul to make like the wind, bringing along some hacksaws to saw through the bars of their cell. But he breaks out alone, spurring the local authorities to pursue him using modern methods of communication, transportation, and surveillance.

Right away this fine film struck this viewer as a time honored tale of an old fashioned man out of step with the changing times. The first we see of Jack, he's reclining in the wilderness while jets pass by overhead. He knows that he's something of a dinosaur in this current setting. And since he's far from being a hardcore criminal, our hearts do go out to him. We root for him all the while to make it to freedom, even as he's saddled with a temperamental horse named Whisky.

Kirk has some mighty fine moments with both Kane, and Gena Rowlands, who plays Pauls' wife. He just pours out his heart to this people. In this viewers' humble opinion, Kirk never has been better. And he's very well supported by a rich gallery of actors: Walter Matthau as a lawman, Carroll O'Connor as a trucker, the great William Schallert as a comedy relief deputy (he may remind you of Harry Dean Stanton in "Alien", the way that he keeps saying "Right." to requests), George Kennedy as a brutish prison guard, and Karl Swenson as a "reverend" doing time. A young Bill Bixby has an uncredited bit as an airman in a helicopter. Matthau plays the type of pursuer in this type of tale who has sympathy for his quarry but who knows that he still has a job to do.

There's a wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith (one of his earlier ones), and plenty of hair raising moments along the way, especially when Jack & Whisky are trying to make their way up the mountain.

Played with real humor and heart, this is a delightful yarn about a man whose well developed sense of loyalty is something to admire.

Eight out of 10.

Lonely Are the Brave (1962) is a film about a man who's content with life on the open range. He's the last of his kind, the wandering cowboy. The problem is the open range is disappearing around him. A guy like that can't live off the land anymore because there's no land for him to live off of. Everywhere he goes the land is either owned or forbidden for him to enter. Kirk Douglas stars as the last cowboy who just can't get it into his head how much the times have changed. Especially when he tries to rescue his good friend from the local jail. This causes more trouble than he can comprehend.

What's so funny about this movie is how much of the story, scenes and situations were later used in it's quasi-remake "First Blood". The basic story line and his troubles with the law are quite similar. Walter Matthau and Gena Rowlands co-star in this awesome film about a dying way of life. I saw this film several years ago on Turner Classic Movies. It's a sad tribute to the old west.

Highly enjoyable and recommended.

P.S. Gena Rowlands looks pretty good in this picture!

Released in 1962 and directed by David Miller from a novel by Edward Abbey, "Lonely are the Brave" is a Western taking place in modern times (the early 60s, that is) starring Kirk Douglas as Jack Burns, an independent New Mexican cowhand who's a likable loner. He lands himself in jail in order to help his old friend, Paul (Michael Kane), who is doomed for the penitentiary for a couple of years; but Paul doesn't want to escape because it would add several years to his sentence if caught. So Burns breaks out on his own and is chased by Sheriff Johnson (Walter Matthau) and others (George Kennedy) with the aid of a military helicopter, etc. Will he get away? Gena Rowlands is on hand as Paul's wife.

This modern Western cogently conveys how civilization with its corresponding government and never-ending laws naturally squelches personal independence and freedom. The bigger the populace means the bigger the governing regulations, and the less the liberty. One starts to suffocate in a world of borders, fences and laws. These are human-made inventions that don't even exist. Fly over the USA and you'll see no state or county borders or city limits. They're all human-made inventions that don't exist, except in a legal sense. Burns hearkens back to an earlier era where one didn't even need an ID. He doesn't fit into the mold of the modern world. All he has is his mare, Whiskey, the clothes on his back and his basic necessities. They're all a real cowboy needs, but the cowboy was a vanishing breed circa 1961.

Director Miller wisely accentuates Gena's curvy beauty as Paul's wife, Jerri. The nature of her relationship with Burns is initially a mystery, but all is revealed before the final act and it's well done. Whether someone is married or not, it doesn't mean s/he can't love someone else who's single or married. But marriage itself is a border that cannot be lawfully crossed except by the person's spouse. The film acknowledges this and so do Burns and Jerri. They're people with feelings, but they're also wise and hence don't allow their passions to compel them to trespass marital fences.

All these items amongst others (like the quality score) make "Lonely are the Brave" a minor near-masterpiece. Unfortunately, it's flawed by some tedious stretches, like the overlong jail sequence, and unconvincing or dumb elements; for instance, the idea that Burns wouldn't know enough to make sure there weren't any cars before crossing a highway on horseback (Seriously?). It's also marred by B&W photography, which would've really come alive if shot in color. The basic plot and theme were done later by the superior "First Blood" (1982) and "The Electric Horseman" (1979) respectively.

The film runs 107 minutes and was shot in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area.

GRADE: B+