The 1970s were a time of transition for Hollywood. The decade served as the link between the old days of movie-making and a more modern style, prompting studios to release acclaimed classics like A Clockwork Orange (1971), Rocky (1976), and Alien (1979). Even the Star Wars franchise got its start in the 1970s, as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, then titled just Star Wars, was released in 1977. The entire Hollywood landscape was changing, as new directors, producers, and ideas were becoming all the rage within the industry.
Even the classic Western began to change in the ’70s. The decade continued to see the rise of the Spaghetti Westerns, and the genre even became popular on TV. The famous drama Little House on the Prairie first premiered in 1974 on NBC and enjoyed a nine-season run through 1983. Unfortunately, even as the genre continued to grow and change, domestic audiences were losing interest in classic Western stories. The ’80s saw the genre’s general decline, but it would come shortly after John Wayne produced one of the most underrated Westerns of all time.
John Wayne Is a Western Legend
He Was Active From 1926 To 1979
John Wayne is a name that most audiences will likely know, despite Wayne passing away in 1979. Originally named Marion Robert Morrison, Wayne starred in nearly 200 movies, but the actor became renowned for his performances in Western movies, especially. Wayne’s best Westerns included the classic movies The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), Stagecoach (1939), and El Dorado (1966). He did star in several other genres, of course, including the World War II epic The Longest Day (1962), but he never stopped returning to the Westerns that made his name.
Wayne certainly earned accolades for his time as one of Hollywood’s biggest leading stars. He earned two Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards and even won for his performance in 1969’s True Grit. The actor also won two Golden Globe awards and was nominated for a third. Shockingly, the actor even managed to win awards from the American government, as he was granted the Congressional Gold Medal and eventually received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. Unfortunately, he never received much recognition for one of the best roles in his extensive career.
Chisum Was John Wayne’s Greatest War Movie
It Blended Westerns and War
Wayne certainly did star in war movies, but Chisum was the film that saw him blend battles with Westerns. The film told the story of the Lincoln County War, which saw Billy the Kid waging war over a dry goods store in New Mexico. 23 people were reportedly killed in the real-world confrontation and dozens more were injured. In this version of the story, John Wayne’s John Chisum joins forces with Geoffrey Deuel’s Billy the Kid in a fascinating twist on a true story. It earned a wide release on July 29, 1970, and the large ensemble cast meant that it bore a massive $4 million budget ($34 million today).
It also happened to have stunning cinematography, a fascinating story, and performances that rivaled Wayne’s best.
Chisum was a big-budget movie, but it did not impress audiences too much in its initial release. The film earned just $6 million ($51 million today), which was far short of the year’s number one movie, Love Story, which earned $106 million domestically ($897 million today). Still, the movie has proved to have a lasting impact, as it marked the beginning of a new era for Wayne. The movie was deeply emotional, and it helped to tie in the newly expanding war genre with the classic Westerns, which would be a trend that other 1970s releases would follow. It also happened to have stunning cinematography, a fascinating story, and performances that rivaled Wayne’s best.
Chisum Remains Highly Renowned Today
The Film Is a Fan-Favorite Among Movie Buffs
Chisum has undoubtedly maintained an extraordinary reputation in recent years. It did not win any major awards, nor has it maintained a strong reputation among a wider audience, given that it is largely unheard of. Though it proved to be one of Wayne’s more impressive films, many loyal Western viewers could easily have failed to learn of its existence in the first place. 55 years after its debut, Chisum remains severely underrated. Still, while the film struggled at the box office in its initial release, the years have been kind, and the critics have too.
With over 5,000 reviewers from the general audience, the movie earned a 74% Popcornmeter score. Though it is certainly not Wayne’s most impressive result, it is still positive and indicates that viewers have been warming up since its release. The critics have also been favorable, offering an 83% Tomatometer score and praising Wayne’s performance. Many viewers argued that this movie was further proof of Wayne’s ability to tie the then-modern world into the chaos of the Wild West, making even fantastical stories feel grounded and believable.
Chisum Stands Out Against Other ’70s War Movies
It Lives Beside Apocalypse Now and The Inglorious Basterds
The 1970s was a haven for war movies, which is likely why Chisum struggled to gain much attention in the years after its release. The decade saw the release of Apocalypse Now (1979), The Inglorious Bastards (1978), and The Deer Hunter (1978). Notably, each of those extraordinary releases focused on wars that were far more modern than the Wild West ever saw. Apocalypse Now and Deer Hunter focused on the Vietnam War, while Inglorious and Midway (1976) centered around World War II. Even the science fiction fantasy Star Wars focused on a new perspective of war. As fun as Chisum was, it failed to break through a deluge of modern movies to make its Western story more engaging.
Today, World War II movies are not especially groundbreaking, nor are Vietnam War movies. Instead, after the Western genre slowed to a crawl in the early 2000s, the modern resurgence of Western shows means that there is room for viewers to engage with a classic movie from the genre. Yellowstone and other Taylor Sheridan shows could prime viewers to tune in to watch this underrated classic. Anyone who gives Chisum a chance will have the opportunity to watch John Wayne’s brilliant Western war movie that continues to impress its viewers today. It is undoubtedly worth a look.