Ride in the Whirlwind (1966)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

A very Low-Budget, Alternative Western Penned by and Starring Jack Nicholson and Directed by the Minimalist and Philosophical Monte Hellman, this is Proof Positive that Quality, Engaging Movies can be Made by Thoughtful, Talented Movie Makers with just a Dab of Dollars.Along with its Sister Shoot "The Shooting" (1966), Neither Receiving an Initial American Release (Who was in charge of these things?), both Films are Now Considered Excellent B-Movies and have gained Cult Status.This one is more Bare-Bones in its Conceit than its Existential Other, it Works just as Well as "The Shooting", Just On a Different Plane of Existence. Jack Nicholson seems to Appreciate and Understand "Western Speak" and His Script, is Filled with Scant but Succinct, Spot On Dialog. When the Characters Talk it is from Experience and a Sort of Intellectual Insight. Their Words are Few but Meaningful Learned from the School of Hard Living.Cameron Mitchell is totally Believable as Nicholson's Riding Companion, and the other well Known Character Actor Harry Dean Stanton makes His Mark in a Small Role. But the whole Cast seems to be on the Film's Wavelength and All Contribute to the Experience and None Detract.Highly Recommended for Nicholson's Fine Script, Hellman's Sure Hand Direction, and a Cast of Truly Believable Actors Playing Truly Believable Characters. Everything Clicks and the Team of Independent Filmmakers Made a Western that has Stood the Test of Time and it would Not be Hyperbole to Call this a Minor Gem.

This independent and offbeat film deals with three cowboys who are mistaken for members a band , then they're wrongly pursued by a relentless posse . This outlandish Western is finely set against barren backdrop and well photographed outdoors . Slow-moving , a little boring , however being packed with exciting pursuits , strong performances and noisy gunplay . Written , starred and produced by Jack Nicholson along with an uncredited Roger Corman . Made concurrently , back to back , with ¨The shooting¨ with the same cast (Millie Perkins, Jack Nicholson) , cameraman (Gregory Sandor) and maverick director (Hellman) . Slammed by the intelligentsia when it was released , today become a minor cult movie , as well as ¨The shooting¨ .The motion picture was professionally directed by Monte Hellman (Two-lane blacktop , Cockfighter) in his usual visual style . His stars are similarly independent-minded actors such as Jack Nicholson , Harry Dean Stanton and Cameron Mitchell . From his two known strange , outlandish Westerns in which Hellman directed in rare as well as special qualities , he has remained fiercely independent with lukewarm reception by public, but praised by critics . In his first films he teamed up Roger Corman who produced his earlier movies with a relative success , however nowadays he only makes fateful B movies and failure television movies .

This movie was written and co-produced by Jack Nicholson. The story is a bit lacking in content and character development, and at times a tad boring. However, the movie is still a pretty decent movie, with enough acting and story to leave the audience happy. I suspect it was filmed in Utah or Arizona. The landscape was very rocky and unfriendly desert. This fit in well with the starkness and brutality of the film. Jack Nicholson stars along television veteran Cameron Mitchell (who I always thought had a slight resemblance to Dean Martin)as two petty carriage robbers on the lam. They run into a gang led by a rather sharp leader (Harry Dean Stanton). Neither of the gangs of robbers are "bad" guys, but they are hardened. It seemed throughout the movie that the only killing they did was in self-defense as part of their duty as thieves. Yet, a vigilante committee is organized to hunt them down. It is an unfair fight. The outlaws in both gangs number eight (one of whom is already almost dead) versus a vigilante posse of about two dozen. Capture is not an option, because it means an immediate hanging. Stanton's character and a familiar black actor are the two survivors of the other gang. They are smoked out of their hiding place, and you see the futility of their efforts in inevitably being hanged. Mitchell plays the older, wiser of the two heroes (or anti-heroes). He knows how to evade capture. Nicholson plays a hardened thief, but one who is more impulsive and less experienced in the business. You can't help but feel that the "bad guys" are the real heroes. The vigilante posse are moral, honest citizens, but definitely the "bullies". In the end, the elder thief (Mitchell) sacrifices his life, so the younger thief (Nicholson) can escape to freedom. You can't help but feel, that although a little sparse in Nicholson's script, that there is a certain earthiness and rawness to the western that makes it a bit unique.

In the story of three cowboys who are mistaken for stagecoach robbers, Monte Hellman made an oppressive western that reaches the spectator. The situation in the film is extreme and is rightfully called the "whirlwind". You have to ride the whirlwind, to escape from it, and for Nicholson and Mitchell and Stanton it is practically impossible. Millie Perkins as Abigail and her parents are also caught. This film can be seen as a metaphor for some of the most terrible troubles that affect people's lives. They come like the whirlwind, finding people at that particular place and time, and destiny will make some ride through them and others not.This film gave me this feeling.