There Was a Crooked Man...

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Trailer—There Was a Crooked Man...

"There Was A Crooked Man" is no masterpiece for sure. It is however, somewhat of a curiosity. Coming after the "gold standard" spaghetti westerns, this seems outdated right from the "git-go". The sophomoric script is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too repetitive and long. A fine cast wrestles at length with a story that is neither compelling or complex. Henry Fonda is subdued, even for him, and Kirk Douglas and his Cheshire cat grin becomes tiresome. The entire movie has a claustrophobic feel to it, because of the redundant prison locations. In short, "There Was A Crooked Man" is certainly a curious film, but ultimately forgettable. - MERK

David Newman and Robert Benton wrote a terrific script. Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz took that script and created a borderline classic. "There Was a Crooked Man..." is filled with great characters. The entire cast played the heck out of those characters. Great performances are given across the board. This movie is beautifully produced. The sets and the costumes are very well done. The music is also top-notch. I've seen this movie many times. It remains fresh and inventive. It's exciting, funny and has quite a bit of heart. "There Was a Crooked Man..." never fails to hit the spot.

Great actors, but the film lacks identity. The film's musical score completely decimated any semblance of drama or relevance. The same six notes played on a trumpet over and over again, resembling contemporary music of the time from "The Dating Game" or "Love, American Style" was out of place and in your face. Thus, when a man gets shot in the chest at point blank range with a rifle, there is no shock value. Nobody really cares when a beautiful woman's clothes are ripped off by a rioting prison mob and she is obviously raped - it's all light - hearted, you see. Douglas's compelling performance is wasted. Imagine any great drama plagued by recurring, obnoxious music and you have a mess. Imagine a great speech by Lincoln or JFK punctuated by comical music - it means nothing. Pathetic.

This is a light oater about an unrepentant bank robber, his fellow prisoners and a reformist Warden. I say "light" since there are some moments of real humor, but it's overall NOT a comedy, as some reviewers have called it. Rather, it's a drama with some humorous moments. The bank robber, Paris, superbly played by Kirk Douglas, had hidden $500,000 after the robbery. Paris keeps scheming to escape, offering a cut of the money to his fellow prisoners for help in escaping. Paris is a real con man and a charmer. However, he is foiled at nearly every turn by the new Warden, Lopeman (played by the great Henry Fonda). The Warden seems to have "seen it before" with everything that Paris tries. Excellent in supporting roles are Hume Cronyn, Warren Oates, Alan Hale and Burgess Meredith. There are a couple of real surprises at the end of the film. I truly enjoyed this and think it's well worth a watch.

In Ostend Belgium, when this movie came out, it was packed in the cinema/movie theatre. I was 20 back then. I remember that at the end the lady was fully * running out of the prison. In the DVD's today there are many scenes missing that I remember from watching it complete. In 2011 no movie should be released cut anymore. Maybe a movie is too long to some people, but I personally do not like it at all when scenes are missing when I buy a movie. The Internet Movie Database says it has a 126 minutes projection time, but all I can find around the globe is a 118 minute version. I respect those who write here that they are for or against this movie. But ...let's be able to judge it uncut. Come on Warner, where is the complete movie. ?

Terrific mix of comedy/western/prison film about clever thief Kirk Douglas who lands himself in jail after robbing a rich man of $500,000 which he's hidden in a mountain. Honest, forthright sheriff Henry Fonda becomes warden of the jail with the intent on reforming the prisoners not punishing them. Kirk Douglas must plan his escape with the help of some colorful prisoners by bribing them. Very underrated and overlooked gem of the 70's wonderfully directed by Academy Award winning director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Full of humor, excitement, and entertainment. Cynical and funny script has some great twists and the cast is perfect. ***1/2 out of ****

I found this to be a fine western comedy. Kirk Douglas plays an incorrigible, but likable bank robber in the 1800's. Henry Fonda is a straight-laced Sheriff turn prison Warden trying to reform the cunning thief in the territorial pokey. Douglas of course intends to escape and go back to the hidden money, but he must enlist help from the likes of Warren Oates, Burgess Meredith and Hume Cronyn. This is a very enjoyable and funny film that reveals Douglas' bare butt. In supporting roles are Arthur O'Connell and Martin Gabel. Unload your six shooter and prop up your spurs; this one is worth your time.