Madron

A talky imitation spaghetti western shot in the Negev Desert in Israel and released shortly after 'Two Mules for Sister Sara'; a bit too soon for it to be a straight copy. It probably owes more to 'Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison' and the Dollars trilogy, with good girl Caron joining forces with bad & ugly brigand Richard Boone against a rugged backdrop and a sub-Morricone guitar score by Riz Ortolani. Pedestrianly directed by Jerry Hopper after several years away in TV, his occasional zooms are a poor substitute for Sergio Leone's frenzied cutting and clashing close-ups.

Boone of course is as usual good in the title role (although Caron didn't like him). Caron's smooth gamine features remain far too unblemished by exposure to such a harsh climate (likewise her long flowing, well-conditioned hair when allowed loose). But I'm not complaining...!

Jerry Hopper's Israel-set, savagely sun-baked spaghetti western 'His Name was Madron' (1970) is an amiable adventure with grizzled, gun-happy brigand Madron (Richard Boone) and kindly, but ever resourceful nun Sister Mary (Leslie Caron) making for an engaging ill-matched pair of travellers, fractiously bound together upon their increasingly desperate journey to a save haven beyond the ever encroaching threat of mercilessly vengeful Apache Warrior Sam Red!

Comparisons to Siegal's beloved 'Two Mules for Sister Sarah' are inevitable, but the delightful Riz Ortolani score, and his memorable theme 'Till Love Touches Your Life' certainly lends 'His Name was Madron' some additional appeal. The burly charismatic character actor Paul L. Smith makes the most of his all-too brief cameo, and while the amorous sparks never fully ignite between hard-bitten loner Madron and his nun sexier companion Sister Mary their lively performances are likeable enough, with the tall, crag-faced Boone making for a convincingly capable, sharp-shooting outlaw whose calloused trigger finger is fatefully softened by Mary's healing hands! As a scintillating aside, Leslie Caron's dazzlingly lustrous, delectably dark chestnut hair is a truly ravishing sight; Hell!!?? It's more than enough to lead a God-fearing man like me off the path of righteousness! Amen!!!!!

If you liked Two Mules for Sister Sara, check out Madron. Unfortunately for Richard Boone and Leslie Caron, their version of "the cowboy and the nun" was also released in 1970 - and no one remembers it. The main difference between the two is that Madron is a drama. Perhaps audiences in 1970 only wanted a cutesy story.

I'm sure Richard loved making this movie. He always had to play villains, but in this one, not only did he get to play the lead, he was also the title character! It's practically a two-person story, and even though he's less admirable than his costar, he's hardly a bad guy. Leslie just plays a nun, so anyone's going to look immoral compared to her. He's a tough gunslinger who comes across the remains of a wagon train after an Indian attack. Leslie is the sole survivor, and she tags along with him for safety. They hate each other at first, since they both represent the opposite of what each admires - but as the story progresses, they learn to like each other. I'd definitely recommend this one if you want to see the softer side of Richard. Next up, check out his turn playing a psychiatrist in Lizzie!

AKA : "Two Mules for Sister Sara --- without the budget" Take out Clint Eastwood - Add Richard Boone Take out Shirley McLaine - Add a gorgeous Leslie Caron

I can't figure out why she made this movie -for the money??? A shoestring budget that scrimpted on screenplay and .. well almost everything. This didn't play when I was a kid in my neighborhood; but it surely would have been at one of the closest 70 or 80 drive-in theatres first run. Not good, but I was looking for this film (to complete my Oscar films of 1970), so I can't complain too much.

I majored in film in college which means I have watched a lot of movies ... all types of movies made by all types of people in all types of places. I have a very open mind towards movies. But Madron left me speechless. Madron could possibly be the worst film I have ever seen, and I have seen some really bad stuff. The best way I can describe Madron is that it's like a 70's porn film, but without the porn. It's poorly constructed, numbingly boring, and crude. Each scene seems like a repeat of the last. Sometimes I like bad movies, because they are so bad they are funny. Madron is not funny, it's sad. The talent has been in other good films though ... so I'm going to have to blame this feature-length mistake on the director and other behind the scenes folks.

I would say the one redeeming characteristic of Madron it is that this film has made me appreciate good movies that I had started to take for granted.