Hardcase

As ever, big man Clint Walker dominates the screen in this fittingly titled HARDCASE Western directed by one John Llewellyn Moxey, about whom I know zero, other than he was involved mostly in TV productions (including this HARDCASE).

Walker begins by saving Mexican revolutionary Simon Fuegos (played by Pedro Armendariz Jr) before introducing himself as Jack Rutherford, the name of Fuegos' wife's former hubby. Of course, she is played by lovely Stefanue Powers and the two men want her... but this is Mexico, and the rebels are fighting the Federales, so all is less than fair in love and war.

Walker thinks nothing of waking Fuegos with a Colt .45 at his nose, and taking Powers and Fuegos on a tied up hands horse ride. The camera stays on Walker as he broods and stares in close-ups. After a while, I grew tired of it, I'd have preferred some focus on Stefanie instead. Karras adds nothing, constantly calling Clint and Pedro "compadres" and one minute threatening that he wants to see money, the next sportingly going along.

Ultimately, in spite of some crude behavior and being responsible for Fuegos not being able to join his men getting slaughtered by the Federales, Walker shows some kindness and parts with wife and Fuegos.

Not outright bad, certainly forgettable TV oater.

This 1972 made-for TV western features big Clint Walker and Stephanie Powers in a tale of graft, corruption and survival on the western plains. The script, budget and casting in this one all seem to be pretty average....... a typical '70's TV movie.

Clint Walker was always in his element in a western and he turns in his usual interesting performance here. Powers is beautiful and talented and their chemistry together here is pretty good.

While western fans will enjoy this one, it does not measure up to the Clint Walker films of the '50's and 60's. I guess "they don't make them like that any more ........."

This was a good movie - The 70's music was not the best. Was well acted and we would recommend it. We love Clint Walker - Great guy!! However (not a spoiler) it didn't end the way we wanted it to end; but it was good & realistic none-the-less.

Well done western, one of the early 'Good guy is not so good' characters. The scene where Walkers tries to stay awake by braiding a circle if thorns around his neck (so he doesn't nod off) shows what a hard case he is. Alex Karras shows some football players CAN act, and Stephanie Powers makes for a pretty distraction. Walkers sheer size, and depth of voice make him a threat to the bad guys, and he handles himself very well, not like the muscle-bound movements you see in a lot of todays large actors. The films stars get dusty, dirty, hungry, thirsty, backaches, tired and trail sore. They don't stay clean shaven, with shiny guns sweat-less shirts. Gritty, hard men in a unforgiving and uncompromising. Real hard cases.