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movie review the unforgiven 1960

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The Unforgiven

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John Huston

Burt Lancaster

Ben Zachary

Audrey Hepburn

Rachel Zachary

Lillian Gish

Mattilda Zachary

Audie Murphy

Cash Zachary

Johnny Portugal

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Eye For Film >> Movies >> The Unforgiven (1960) Film Review

The Unforgiven

The Unforgiven

Reviewed by: Andrew Robertson

In John Huston's staggering film career there are two westerns. While The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean is a broad comedy, even a farce, The Unforgiven is much closer to a tragedy. While it forms an intriguing counterpoint to The Searchers , also written by Alan Le May, its various difficulties have resulted in it being overlooked.

One of the few surviving prints was shown at the 2009 Glasgow Film Festival as part of its Audrey Hepburn programme. While it was the film she made immediately before Breakfast At Tiffany's, and during production she broke her back, the real strength of the film is her performance.

Copy picture

The cast is tremendous - Hepburn as Rachel Zachary, sister to Burt Lancaster and Audie Murphy, cousin to Doug McClure, niece of Lillian Gish. Beyond all this star power, the Zacharys have a gigantic cattle herd, or at least a sizeable share of one, in partnership with the Rawlins family. It's a frontier idyll, a thriving community, though not without its perils; the Kiowa lurk on the horizon, making deadly raids, including the one that killed Rachel's parents.

These happy times are jeopardised by a haggard old man, Abe Kelsey. Played by Joseph Wiseman he's a ghost from the desert, emerging from scrub and sandstorms like a spirit of vengeance. Where he goes revelation follows. He claims to know the secret of the Zacharys, a seemingly terrible thing; Rachel is not their flesh and blood, but a Kiowa child, taken as their own. What follows from that is horrible, moving.

Beyond Huston's direction, Ben Maddow's adaptation is strong. This was his first open credit after he was blacklisted in the Fifties for his involvement in UnAmerican Activities. The wild open country is well presented by Franz Planer, with the same generous eye that he brought to The Big Country. The score is provided by Dmitri Tiomkin, who scored The Alamo that same year and, amongst various westerns, composed for The Guns of Navarone.

Huston wanted to make a film about racism, and succeeded. The language of the film is terrible to modern ears; 'red nigger' is heard on several occasions, and the violence is still shocking. A statement about race and family, it has languished in relative obscurity. It has perhaps been overshadowed by The Searchers. Nonetheless, it is a powerful film, and well worth seeing.

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Director: John Huston

Writer: Alan Le May, Ben Maddow

Starring: Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Charles Bickford, Lillian Gish, Albert Salmi, Joseph Wiseman, June Walker, Kipp Hamilton

Runtime: 125 minutes

Country: USA

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Once Upon a Time in a Western

The unforgiven (1960).

The Unforgiven (1960) poster

But it’s about to pay off. They have a herd of 6,000 head their about to drive to Wichita in a joint venture with neighboring ranchers, including Zeb Rawlins (Charles Bickford) and his family.

Then a strange man in a Confederate uniform and bearing a saber shows up, spreading an ugly rumor — that the Zachary’s adopted daughter Rachel is really an Indian. The Kiowa believe it; they show up at the Zachary ranch to claim Rachel. And after Charlie Rawlins is killed by Indians, some of the whites begin to believe it, too.

So Ben Zachary has the half-mad stranger named Kelsey tracked down and brought in to be hanged. He tells a strange tale of the massacre of an Indian village. There was only one survivor, a Kiowa baby, in a cradle with Indian markings on her hands, feet and stomach.

The news leaves the Zachary family to fend for themselves when the Kiowa come calling a second time. And they no longer has Cash to help them. He rides off when Ben refuses to turn out their “red-skinned n—-r” of a sister.

Burt Lancaster as Ben Zachary, making a promise to a grieving father in The Unforgiven (1960)

Burt Lancaster as Ben Zachary, making a promise to a grieving father in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary, awaiting brother Ben's return from Wichita in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary, awaiting brother Ben’s return from Wichita in The Unforgiven (1960)

movie review the unforgiven 1960

From the opening scene in which Rachel is shooing a cow off the roof of the Zachary family shoddy, this is a different sort of Western, and it only gets better as the film moves along.

We’re left with plenty of memorable scenes: the Indian attack on the Zachary family piano, Lilian Gish’s character angrily whipping the horse from under Kelsey because he claims Rachel is an Indian, Charles Bickford getting two men to hold him high so he can look the dead man in his face, and Burt Lancaster’s character ordering his brother to kill an Indian who approaches their shoddy under a peace sign so Rachel knows turning herself over to the Indians will be futile.

Lancaster turns in a fine performance as a man confident in his skills as a rancher, but who isn’t quite sure what to do about his desire for Rachel or her desire to marry. Yep, that’s Lillian Gish of silent movie fame as the mother, and Doug McClure, later of “The Virginian” fame, as the youngest son. And Audie Murphy is splendid as the bigoted middle brother, who hates Indians for killing his father and who can’t stand the thought of living with one.

Audie Murphy as Cash Zachary, smelling something suspicious upon his return home in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audie Murphy as Cash Zachary, smelling something suspicious upon his return home in The Unforgiven (1960)

Lillian Gish as Mattilda Zachary, finding an unwelcome visitor at her home in The Unforgiven (1960)

Lillian Gish as Mattilda Zachary, finding an unwelcome visitor at her home in The Unforgiven (1960)

Directed by: John Huston

Cast: Burt Lancaster … Ben Zachary Audrey Hepburn … Rachel Zachary Audie Murphy … Cash Zachary Lillian Gish … Mattilda Zachary Doug McClure … Andy Zachary John Saxon … Johnny Portugal Charles Bickford … Zeb Rawlins Albert Salmi … Charlie Rawlins June Walker … Hagar Rawlins Kipp Hamilton … Georgia Rawlins Arnold Merritt … Jude Rawlins Carlos Rivas … Lost Bird Joseph Wiseman … Abe Kelsey

Runtime: 123 min.

Doug McClure as Andy Zachary, following big brother Ben's orders in The Unforgiven (1960)

Doug McClure as Andy Zachary, following big brother Ben’s orders in The Unforgiven (1960)

Joseph Wiseman as Abe Kelsey, the haggard veteran whose stories of the past haunt the Zachary family in The Unforgiven (1960)

Joseph Wiseman as Abe Kelsey, the haggard veteran whose stories of the past haunt the Zachary family in The Unforgiven (1960)

Memorable lines:

Kesley to Rachel: “I am the sword of God. The fire and the vengeance whereby the wrong shall be righted and the truth shall be told.”

Ben Zachary: “What makes you so happy, mamma?” Mattilda Zachary: “Because you ain’t sick or dead or scalped or something worse.” Ben: “Nothing could kill me ‘cept lightning out of the sky. And then it would have to hit twice.”

Ben Zachary: “Kelseys don’t die. They have to be killed.”

Ben Zachary: “They (the Kiowa) wanted to buy a woman. You.” Rachel Zachary: “Well, did you sell me?” Ben: “I held out for more horses.”

Charles Bickford as Zeb Rawlins, demanding to now the reasons behind a son's death in The Unforgiven (1960)

Charles Bickford as Zeb Rawlins, demanding to now the reasons behind a son’s death in The Unforgiven (1960)

June Walker as Hagar Rawlins, confronting Rachel with the rumors regarding her parentage in the Unforgiven (1960)

June Walker as Hagar Rawlins, confronting Rachel with the rumors regarding her parentage in the Unforgiven (1960)

Mrs. Rawlins to Rachel, after her son has been killed: “Dirty Injun with your Injun ways. Ain’t you done enough. Wound yourself around my son Charlie to get yourself a litter of half-breeds to run around my Charlie’s cabin. Squaw. Kiowa squaw. Red n—-rs ever was. You killed him. You killed him.”

Zeb Rawlins, trying to find out whether Rachel has Indian-toned skin or not: “Let the women take her in the house and undress her.” Ben Zachary: “Anyone touches her, I’ll put a bullet through their God-fearing gut.”

Ben Zachary to brother Cash, who suggests they move because of the rumors about Rachel: “Man sets down roots, Cash, don’t like them cut off. By Kiowa or anyone else.”

Ben Zachary to Rachel as the Kiowa prepare to attack: “When they get close enough that you want to scream, don’t scream. Just shoot.”

A warning from the Kiowa for the Zachary brothers (from left), Andy (Doug McClure), Cash (Audie Murphy) and Ben (Burt Lancaster) in The Unforgiven (1960)

A warning from the Kiowa for the Zachary brothers (from left), Andy (Doug McClure), Cash (Audie Murphy) and Ben (Burt Lancaster) in The Unforgiven (1960)

Albert Salmi as Charlie Rawlins, trying to get up the nerve to proposed to Rachel (Audrey Hepburn) in The Unforgiven (1960)

Albert Salmi as Charlie Rawlins, trying to get up the nerve to proposed to Rachel (Audrey Hepburn) in The Unforgiven (1960)

Kipp Hamilton as Georgia Rawlins, sprucing up to impress Cash Zachary in The Unforgiven (1960)

Kipp Hamilton as Georgia Rawlins, sprucing up to impress Cash Zachary in The Unforgiven (1960)

Carlos Rivas as Lost Bird, arriving at the Zachary home with a trade offer in The Unforgiven (1960)

Carlos Rivas as Lost Bird, arriving at the Zachary home with a trade offer in The Unforgiven (1960)

John Saxon as Johnny Portugal, the man who helps ride down Abe Kelsey in The Unforgiven (1960)

John Saxon as Johnny Portugal, the man who helps ride down Abe Kelsey in The Unforgiven (1960)

Lillian Gish as Mattilda Zachary, trying to keep a secret from the past hidden in The Unforgiven (1960)

Lillian Gish as Mattilda Zachary, trying to keep a secret from the past hidden in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary and brother Cash (Audie Murphy) watching Ben confront a ranch hand in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary and brother Cash (Audie Murphy) watching Ben confront a ranch hand in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary gets a ride back home from brother Ben in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary gets a ride back home from brother Ben in The Unforgiven (1960)

Kipp Hamilton as Georgia Rawlins comforts her mourning mother (June Walker) in The Unforgiven (1960)

Kipp Hamilton as Georgia Rawlins comforts her mourning mother (June Walker) in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary, confronting the rumors about her heritage in The Unforgiven (1960)

Audrey Hepburn as Rachel Zachary, confronting the rumors about her heritage in The Unforgiven (1960)

Burt Lancaster as Ben Zachary, preparing for a confrontation with Rachel (Audrey Hepburn) and Andy (Doug McClure) by his side in The Unforgiven (1960)

Burt Lancaster as Ben Zachary, preparing for a confrontation with Rachel (Audrey Hepburn) and Andy (Doug McClure) by his side in The Unforgiven (1960)

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Wonderful movie and great cinematography

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movie review the unforgiven 1960

The Unforgiven 1960 Movie Review

Title: The Unforgiven (1960) Movie Review: A Timeless Western Masterpiece

Introduction: Released in 1960, “The Unforgiven” is a classic Western film directed by John Huston. With its captivating storyline, stellar performances, and thought-provoking themes, the movie has stood the test of time as a true masterpiece of its genre. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects that make “The Unforgiven” an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Plot Summary: Set in the Texas frontier during the mid-1800s, “The Unforgiven” revolves around the Zachary family, who face social prejudice due to a long-hidden secret. The family’s peaceful existence is shattered when a Kiowa tribe reveals a dark secret about their adopted daughter, Rachel (Audrey Hepburn). As tensions escalate, the Zacharys find themselves caught between the settlers and the Native Americans, leading to a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and redemption.

Key Aspects of “The Unforgiven”:

1. Casting Perfection: With a star-studded cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, and John Saxon, “The Unforgiven” showcases exceptional performances. Lancaster effortlessly portrays the strong-willed family patriarch, while Hepburn’s portrayal of Rachel beautifully captures her internal struggle and resilience.

2. Cinematography: The film’s breathtaking visuals, captured by cinematographer Franz Planer, bring the Texas landscape to life. The wide shots of sweeping plains and rugged terrain beautifully contrast with the intimate close-ups, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the narrative.

3. Musical Score: Dimitri Tiomkin’s evocative score adds depth and emotion to the film, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The memorable theme music perfectly complements the on-screen action, intensifying the dramatic moments.

4. Exploration of Prejudice: “The Unforgiven” tackles the themes of racism, prejudice, and cultural clashes. The film boldly explores the complexities of racial identity and challenges societal attitudes towards Native Americans, shedding light on the consequences of discrimination and the importance of acceptance.

5. Authentic Representation: The movie’s portrayal of Native American culture is commendable for its authenticity. The Kiowa tribe is depicted with respect and sensitivity, showcasing their customs and traditions without resorting to stereotypes.

6. Character Development: The Zachary family undergoes significant character growth throughout the film. Each family member grapples with their own biases and prejudices, leading to compelling arcs that highlight the power of personal growth and redemption.

7. Compelling Narrative: “The Unforgiven” weaves a compelling tale of family, love, and identity. The exploration of familial bonds and the search for identity in a hostile world remains relevant to this day, resonating with audiences across generations.

8. Thought-Provoking Message: The film’s underlying message of forgiveness and understanding shines through, urging viewers to look beyond superficial differences and embrace empathy and compassion.

9. Timeless Themes: Despite being released over six decades ago, the themes explored in “The Unforgiven” remain as relevant today as they were then. The film’s exploration of racism, identity, and the consequences of prejudice ensures its continued relevance and impact.

10. Suspenseful Action: “The Unforgiven” is not just a thought-provoking drama but also a thrilling Western. The intense action sequences, including horse chases and tense standoffs, keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the film.

11. Detailed Production Design: The attention to detail in the film’s production design is commendable. The costumes, props, and set designs authentically recreate the era, immersing audiences in the world of the Texas frontier.

12. Critical Acclaim: “The Unforgiven” received critical acclaim upon its release, with praise for its performances, direction, and thematic depth. The film was nominated for several awards and continues to be celebrated by critics and audiences alike.

13. Enduring Legacy: Over the years, “The Unforgiven” has solidified its place as a classic Western film. Its impact on the genre and its enduring legacy make it a must-watch for cinephiles and Western enthusiasts.

FAQs: 1. Is “The Unforgiven” based on a true story? No, the movie is a fictional story set in the Texas frontier.

2. How long is the film? “The Unforgiven” has a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.

3. Is the movie suitable for all ages? The film is rated PG-13 for some intense action sequences and thematic elements.

4. Are there any notable performances in the film? Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn deliver standout performances in their respective roles.

5. Is the movie historically accurate? While “The Unforgiven” portrays the Texas frontier accurately, it does take some creative liberties for storytelling purposes.

6. What makes “The Unforgiven” different from other Westerns? The film’s exploration of racial prejudice and its nuanced portrayal of Native American culture set it apart from other Westerns of its time.

7. Where was the film shot? “The Unforgiven” was primarily shot in Mexico, which closely resembled the Texas frontier.

8. Does the film have any memorable quotes? Yes, several memorable quotes from the film have become iconic, such as “There’s one thing worse than being an Indian, and that’s being half-Indian.”

9. Is the film available for streaming? “The Unforgiven” is available for streaming on various platforms, including Amazon Prime and Netflix.

10. Has the film won any awards? While it did not win any major awards, “The Unforgiven” received nominations for various accolades, including two Academy Awards.

11. Are there any notable behind-the-scenes stories? During the filming, actress Audrey Hepburn suffered a back injury due to a fall from a horse, but she continued shooting despite the pain.

12. Does the film have a satisfying conclusion? The film’s conclusion offers a thought-provoking resolution that resonates with its themes of forgiveness and understanding.

13. Is “The Unforgiven” a must-watch for Western fans? Absolutely! “The Unforgiven” is a timeless Western masterpiece that deserves a place in any film enthusiast’s collection.

Conclusion: “The Unforgiven” remains a cinematic gem that transcends time and continues to captivate audiences with its powerful performances, compelling narrative, and timeless themes. Its exploration of prejudice, redemption, and the complexities of human nature make it a must-watch for fans of Westerns and film enthusiasts alike.

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The Unforgiven

Where to watch

The unforgiven.

Directed by John Huston

A new triumph from Academy Award winner John Huston

The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe.

Burt Lancaster Audrey Hepburn Audie Murphy John Saxon Charles Bickford Lillian Gish Albert Salmi Joseph Wiseman June Walker Kipp Hamilton Arnold Merritt Doug McClure Carlos Rivas

Director Director

John Huston

Producers Producers

James Hill Harold Hecht Burt Lancaster Gilbert Kurland

Writer Writer

Original writer original writer.

Alan Le May

Editor Editor

Russell Lloyd

Cinematography Cinematography

Franz Planer

Assistant Director Asst. Director

Camera operator camera operator.

James Saper

Art Direction Art Direction

Stephen B. Grimes Ramón Rodríguez Granada

Stunts Stunts

Bob Herron Bob Terhune

Composer Composer

Dimitri Tiomkin

Sound Sound

Leslie Hodgson Basil Fenton-Smith

Costume Design Costume Design

Dorothy Jeakins

Makeup Makeup

Frank La Rue Frank McCoy

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions James Productions United Artists

Releases by Date

06 apr 1960, 30 sep 1960, 01 oct 1960, 07 oct 1960, 01 jan 1961, 02 jan 1961, releases by country.

  • Theatrical 12
  • Theatrical e 12
  • Theatrical M/12
  • Theatrical NR

125 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Jack Darnell

Review by Jack Darnell ★★½ 5

'Before filming began, director John Huston and star Burt Lancaster took actress Lillian Gish out to the desert to teach her how to shoot, which she would have to do in the film. However, Huston was astounded to discover that Gish could shoot more accurately, and faster, than both he and Lancaster, both of whom were themselves expert marksmen. She found that she liked shooting...'

Mitchum never stood a chance

📀 Cammmalot 📀

Review by 📀 Cammmalot 📀 ★★★ 10

”Don’t shoot unless you have to” “When is that?” “When they break the peace and kill me”

There’s some great moments to be found here, but sadly as whole this John Huston western fails to come together. It’s one of those films where I admire what they were trying to do much more than what they actual did.

BONUS POINTS to Lillian Gish who is by far and away my favorite thing about this film.

”Stop fussing. I’ve hurt myself worse with a kitchen knife”

Cinematic Time Capsule - 1960 Ranked

panos75

Review by panos75 ★★★ 1

A few years after the Civil War, the life of a Texas family is turned upside down when a stranger appears and accuses their daughter of being an Indian by birth.

"The Unforgiven" is one of the few productions in John Huston's career where he was just a hired hand and not the driving force behind it. This is evident because despite the fact that it tackles such an explosive subject matter as racism, and also being a non-too subtle allegory about McCarthyism, the movie is his most impersonal. It's a well-shot, well-acted western with very little but its star-studded cast to differentiate it from other, less ambitious efforts. The big finale with the cabin under siege by the Kiowas…

pirateneckbeard

Review by pirateneckbeard ★½ 7

It's done well and I do love John Huston and I liked that it was challenging race issues but then the last 30 minutes makes so many false steps in all relations including making women look like emotional currency that is fought over and not to be given there own voice or input. It also borrowed from a variation of "The Searchers". It's hard for me to love anyone in this and truly blame the story. Sure it does look nice with a handsome soundtrack but this is pretty awkward on a lot of accords. Geesh, I have a hard time rectifying this in Huston's career. Plus I love Hepburn but she was pretty poorly cast for her character. So maybe the title is apropos.

Fabian

Review by Fabian ★★ 1

Directed by John Huston. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Burt Lancaster on the peak of their respective careers, as well as Lillian Gish and John Saxon. Based on a story written by the author of one of the best westerns of all time, The Searchers . A sweeping family epic set in the American West.

Sounds like the recipe of a masterpiece, right?

Well, the cook seems to have forgotten his recipe and tried to prepare this masterpiece from his memory, because The Unforgiven has all the ingredients of a savory dinner, but ends up tasting like the cook confused his seasonings. Which is all the more unfortunate, because John Huston was already such an experienced director and would return to the…

Rick Burin

Review by Rick Burin ★★★½

*SOME SPOILERS*

This is a strong but flawed race relations Western with a cracking cast, in which whites and Native Americans alike react badly to the news that the pale-faced scion (Audrey Hepburn) of a wealthy family of cattle ranchers may be a 'redskin'.

The performances take in everything from realism to Gothic melodrama, and the denouement may trouble liberals who'd been rather enjoying themselves up till then, but it's a heady brew, with committed handling from John Huston − who could be bothered to properly direct around half of his films − some extremely distinctive photography, and a fascinating ensemble. The pick of the bunch is silent screen legend Lillian Gish (though I would say that) in one of…

Jack Often

Review by Jack Often ★½

I enjoyed gruff mama Lillian Gish and horny virgin Doug McClure. Everything else about this is cacadoodoo, from the comically miscast Audrey Hepburn to the comically incongruous orchestral score. It takes nearly an hour of hoedowns and jibber-jabber to get to the plot, which involves Hepburn being of unknown parentage. John Huston seems lost in the wide open spaces, his camera is not intimate enough to convey much emotion. Lancaster and Hepburn have no chemistry at all which makes it hard to care about their awkward lurch into incest. The endless slaughter of Kiowa people makes it hard to take any meaning from the movie's nod to racism. By the end I was rooting for the Kiowa to kill them all. Way down on the list of Huston classics, maybe at the bottom.

AJ

Review by AJ ★★½

Everytime Audrey Hepburn got on a horse my mind told me that it's the one that broke her back.

Famously troubled production, disowned by Huston, and all but disowned by Hepburn, The Unforgiven doesn't seem like it knows what it wants to say. Hepburn returned to finish the film after healing from her broken back and having a miscarriage. Upon completion of the film, Hepburn took a year-long sabbatical from acting and had her first child. Her triumphant return was Breakfast at Tiffany's - the polar opposite of The Unforgiven .

Audrey Hepburn #15

Craig Lumley

Review by Craig Lumley ★★★ 3

A bleakly ironic revisionist western. A white family steals an infant from a Native American tribe, raises her and then "heroically" fights to keep her.

Certainly flawed on a few levels. The casting of the glamorous Hepburn as a frontier woman is questionable enough, she also plays a native american. I don't think I have to explain that one to you. I still enjoyed watching her on screen. Suppose this raises the cultural issue of willfully allowing intense fandom to blind one on social issues..

Despite awkwardly delivering it's anti-racist (anti-american?) message there are enough strong visual compositions and moments of potency to make this worthwhile. Though you do wish they pushed the concept further. Hard to do in 1960 I suppose. Perhaps it would have been a stronger film if the story was filmed a decade later through new hollywood eyes. Though the era does give the satire a bit more slyness even if it lacks refinement and bite.

Zoë 🐛

Review by Zoë 🐛 ★ 1

if there was going to be any incest in this movie it should have been between burt lancaster and audie murphy. that longing look they shared while embracing? it speaks for itself. no further questions.

Andy Summers 🤠

Review by Andy Summers 🤠 ★★★

The Unforgiven is my sixth film directed by John Huston, and I've worked out that I've watched less than half of his films that I actually own. This one has sat for a little while, as it has taken several films to fully appreciate Burt Lancaster's skill as an actor, but he's slowly winning me over with recent viewings of Vera Cruz and Lawman edging up his batting average. I still think he overacts, always has done for me, but here his performance warrants a touch of bluster as the glue that holds the Zachary family together here. A Western that's a little different from most that I've seen, this has a fine supporting cast for Lancaster to spar with.…

🇵🇱 Steve G 🐝

Review by 🇵🇱 Steve G 🐝 ★★

Burt Lancaster wanted it to be more audience friendly, John Huston wanted it to be more serious - and ne'er the twin met.

The Unforgiven isn't really muddled as a result but it does sit between those two stalls, committing to absolutely nothing aside from being a colossal yawn. Tons of melodrama, not a great deal of action, and lots of overacting, except from Audrey Hepburn who doesn't really seem to be much into this, which is understandable considering she broke her back (literally) making it.

Huston at his best was a director with flourish and depth but this is tedious and misjudged and it was a blessed relief when the cricket came on and I could ditch it.

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The Searchers

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The Unforgiven

The Unforgiven (1960)

Directed by john huston.

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Description by Wikipedia

The Unforgiven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Huston, and starring Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn. Filmed in Durango, Mexico, the supporting cast features Audie Murphy, Charles Bickford, Lillian Gish, John Saxon, Joseph Wiseman, Doug McClure and Albert Salmi. The story is based on the novel The Unforgiven (1957) by Alan Le May. Uncommonly for its time, the film spotlights the issue of racism in the Old West against Native Americans and people who were believed to have Native American blood. The film is also known for the problems that occurred during production.

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The Unforgiven

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The Unforgiven

  • June Walker
  • Kipp Hamilton
  • Arnold Merritt

Doug McClure

  • Carlos Rivas
  • See all credits
  • #96 Best Westerns in the history of film
  • "The gritty aspect of the ranching frontier, the tough, robust nature of its people, the touchiness of the mystery are all well and tensely brought together within Mr. Huston's crunching scenes"  Bosley Crowther : The New York Times
  • "Audrey Hepburn gives a shining performance"  Variety Staff : Variety
  • "John Huston and Burt Lancaster clashed over this 1960 western—the director wanted to emphasize the psychodrama, the producer-star needed a genre hit—and their differences are evident in the movie's erratic tone"  Andrea Gronvall : Chicago Reader
  • "Still underrated - not least because Clint Eastwood borrowed its title - this unusual, suspenseful Western is one of John Huston’s most satisfying Hollywood films"  Kim Newman : Empire
  • "The film is sadly flawed by its stereotyped depiction of the Indians"  Time Out
  • "Superbly photographed by Franz Planer and with a fine Dimitri Tiomkin score, this film deserves to be better known (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"  Tony Sloman : Radio Times
  • 87 My Favorite Westerns (78)

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The Unforgiven

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The Unforgiven

There are many aspects of The Unforgiven that elicit comparison with Shane, particularly in regard to the composition of the scenes and the photography. Director John Huston and cameraman Franz Planer have teamed to provide an intelligent use of the medium for eye-pleasing effects, filmed in Mexico.

By Variety Staff

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The screenplay from a novel by Alan Le May – although many parts are better than the whole – provides a good framework for the talents of Huston and his performers. Audrey Hepburn gives a shining performance as the foundling daughter of a frontier family. As her foster brother, obviously desperately in love with his ‘sister’, Burt Lancaster is fine as the strong-willed, heroic family spokesman and community leader.

The scene is the Texas Panhandle immediately after the Civil War at a time of unbending hatred between the white settlers and the local Kiowa Indians. The antagonism is marked by senseless massacres and excesses on the part of both sides. In the midst of this tension, it’s discovered that Hepburn is actually a full-blooded Indian. The desire of the Indians to recover their own ‘blood’, the resentment of the settlers in having an ‘enemy’ in their midst, and the determination to hold on to the girl who has been a member of the family almost since birth provides the crux of the conflict.

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Lillian Gish, a silent film favorite, is okay as the mother who guards the secret of her foundling daughter. However, she has a tendency to over-react emotionally. There are good performances by Charles Bickford, as the head of another frontier family; June Walker, as his wife; Albert Salmi, as his son who courts Hepburn; Kipp Hamilton, as his daughter, and Doug McClure, as Lancaster’s youngest brother. Audie Murphy is surprisingly good as Lancaster’s hot-headed brother whose hatred of Indians causes him to abandon his family.

  • Production: James/United Artists. Director John Huston; Producer James Hill; Screenplay Ben Maddow; Camera Franz Planer; Editor Hugh Russell Lloyd; Music Dimitri Tiomkin
  • Crew: (Color) Widescreen. Available on VHS. Extract of a review from 1960. Running time: 125 MIN.
  • With: Burt Lancaster Audrey Hepburn Audie Murphy John Saxon Charles Bickford Lillian Gish

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Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

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UNFORGIVEN, THE

  • Post author: eenableadmin
  • Post published: August 5, 2019
  • Post category: Uncategorized

movie review the unforgiven 1960

(director: John Huston; screenwriters: from the book by Alan LeMay/Ben Meadow; cinematographer: Franz Planer; editor: Russell Lloyd; music: Dimitri Tiomkin; cast: Burt Lancaster (Ben Zachary), Audrey Hepburn (Rachel Zachary), Audie Murphy (Cash Zachary), Doug McClure (Andy Zachary), John Saxon (Johnny Portugal), Charles Bickford (Zeb Rawlins), Lillian Gish (Matilda Zachary), Albert Salmi (Charlie Rawlins), Joseph Wiseman (Abe Kelsey), Kipp Hamilton (Georgia Rawlins), June Walker (Hagar Rawlins), Carlos Rivas (Lost Bird); Runtime: 122; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: James Hill; MGM; 1960)

“Considering how Huston and Lancaster have artistic disagreements over filming, it surprisingly still turned out relatively well.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

John Huston’s social conscience Western, exposing the ugliness of racism, is set in the Texas Panhandle sometime after the Civil War in the 1860s. It’s based on the book by Alan LeMay, who wrote the novel The Searchers was based on. The Unforgiven is not only a study of racism — the orphan Audrey Hepburn lives with the white ranchers who adopted her but is suspected of being an Indian — but a salute to the pioneers of the Old West. As poorly executed, unconvincing and ludicrous as is the storyline, there’s still a fascination in the sweeping gestures of Huston’s treatment of prejudice–something I might add few films at that time ever attempted to get at.

While Rachel Zachary’s (Audrey Hepburn) three brothers, the patriarchal Ben Zachary (Burt Lancaster), the bigoted Cash (Audie Murphy) and the virgin nice-guy Andy (Doug McClure), are about to return from a long cattle drive, sis frolics on horseback on the isolated desert ranch while her homemaker adopted mom Matilda (Lilian Gish) bakes bread at home. The peace is broken when an ornery one-eyed white man, Kelsey (Joseph Wiseman), quotes from the Bible a verse about vengeance after riding near Rachel while sporting a saber and frightening the young lady with his presence. We soon learn that he’s spreading rumors throughout the community that Rachel is an Indian, and has hatred in his heart for the Zachary family (we will learn later that the Indians killed Kelsey’s son and later killed Will Zachary, Matilda’s hubby, who before he died saved the life of the only survivor from a slaughtered Kiowa camp and gave the baby girl to Matilda to raise as a white child–saying he wanted no more bloodshed).

Some of the whites begin to believe Kelsey’s tale is true and turn their backs on the Zacharys; while the Kiowa send Rachel’s brother, Lone Bird, to peacefully bring her back to her people by swapping horses for her. Things get ugly when Ben’s ranching partner, Reverend Zeb Rawlins (Charles Bickford), learns his son Charlie (Albert Salmi), Rachel’s suitor, is killed by the Indians. This leaves Ben no choice but to go after Kelsey and wring the truth out of him. Ben’s men capture Kelsey and before they hang him, they make him swear to tell the truth. But Kelsey doesn’t change his story. Zeb believes him and tells Ben he will dissolve their profitable cattle partnership unless Rachel is returned to her people. But Ben refuses to return his sister and then must fight off, without the help of his white neighbors, a savage Indian attack to take Rachel back.

Things got muddled along the way of this well-intentioned message film, as the film’s strong sentiments against racism seem countermanded by portraying the Indians in a stereotypical role. Yet Huston keeps out the preaching, letting the story play out its violent course in an action-packed climax. Considering how Huston and Lancaster have artistic disagreements over filming, it surprisingly still turned out relatively well. Lancaster’s company produced it and were gunning for big box office, while Huston was drawn to the project because of the racial intolerance angle on the frontier intrigued him. In the end, Huston distanced himself from the film and later claimed that “of all his films, The Unforgiven was the only one he actually disliked.” Which only proves that sometimes the director isn’t the best judge of what he created.

movie review the unforgiven 1960

REVIEWED ON 1/18/2005 GRADE: B     https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/

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  • The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.
  • In post-Civil War Texas, the Zachary and Rawlins families are intrinsically tied together. Ben Zachary, the head of the family following the death of his father, Will Zachary, in Ben being the oldest son, and patriarch Zeb Rawlins are partners in a cattle ranching operation. Zeb's unassuming son Charlie Rawlins would like to court Ben's younger sister, adopted Rachel Zachary - something that doesn't quite sit well with Ben in he believing Charlie not worthy of Rachel - while Zeb's daughter Georgia Rawlins would be happy with any of the Zachary brothers, although she has her sights set on middle son Cash Zachary. Their world is upset with the arrival of an older man brandishing a saber. It is not the saber which is concerning, but rather the story that he is spreading: that Rachel is of Indian heritage, most specifically Kiowa. Regardless of the truth, which matriarch Mattilda Zachary knows, this story places a strain on the community who don't want a "dirty Injun" in their midst, threatens all the relationships between the Zacharys and Rawlins, and causes a division within the Zachary family, as the Zacharys try to protect themselves and their property against those who don't want Rachel there, including the Kiowa who want Rachel, one of their own, back. — Huggo
  • Two families, Zachary and Rawlins, are neighbours on the Texas frontier. Their peaceful co-existence is shattered when a strange old man informs them that Rachel Zachary is an Indian, stolen from the local Kiowa tribe during a raid by the settlers. This appears to be borne out when a Kiowa warrior approaches the Zacharys, wanting his sister returned to the tribe. — grantss
  • Western about racial intolerance focuses around Kiowa claim that the Zachary daughter is one of their own, stolen in a raid. The dispute results in other whites turning their backs on the Zacharys when the truth is revealed by Mother. Cash, the hotheaded brother, reacts violently upon learning his "sister" is a "red-hide Indian." He leaves the family but returns to help them fight off an Indian raid. — <[email protected]>

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The Unforgiven

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Screen: "The Unforgiven':Huston Film Stars Miss Hepburn, Lancaster

By Bosley Crowther

  • April 7, 1960

Screen: "The Unforgiven':Huston Film Stars Miss Hepburn, Lancaster

JOHN HUSTON, who made a "different" Western in his "The Treasure of Sierra Madre," has "obviously tried to make another in "The Unforgiven," which came to the Capitol yesterday. And for almost three-quarters of this two-hour, wide-screen, color film an elusive but stimulating idea appears on the verge of breaking through.It is veiled in a murky situation. On a cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle 100 years ago, there lives a rugged frontier family with a lovely daughter to whom a mystery clings. Whisperers hint that this maiden was actually Indian-born, that she was stolen away from an Indian village and secretly adopted to replace a dead infant when she was but a babe in arms. And this, of course, leads to questions and resentments in a community where Indians are viciously hated and openly reviled.Comes, now, into the community a weird, evangelistic old boy who seems to know more about the mystery than it is comfortable to have known. Off in the night and the dusty ranges, he moves in ghostlike form, howling fire-and-brimstone warnings and chanting old Civil War songs. Darkly, he rouses the Indians and aggravates the whites to wonder more closely and coldly about the origin of the girl.It is fine to this point. The gritty aspect of the ranching frontier, the tough, robust nature of its people, the touchiness of the mystery are all well and tensely brought together within Mr. Huston's crunching scenes. A wild lynching of the old hoodoo propels the stern drama to a height, and the challenge to settle the community's racial feelings toward the girl is stark and clear.But at this point the screen play of Ben Maddow runs out of intellectual steam, and the idea that lies in the complex of human drama in a frontier settlement is lost. The writer and Mr. Huston take refuge in a Western cliché. They set the isolated family and the redskin "daughter" to repulsing an Indian raid.It is a beaut of a raid. The ugly varmints come screaming out of the night, timed to Dmitri Tiomkin's booming and otherwise stirring musical score. The muskets crack. A grand piano, set out to trap the Indians, clangs. Fire burns the roof off the family fortress. It is an altogether hot half hour. But the only thing proved out of the complex that is carefully set up at the start is that blood is not so thick as being a "daughter." Indian blood, anyhow.As the girl, Audrey Hepburn is a bit too polished, too fragile and civilized among such tough and stubborn types as Burt Lancaster as the man of the family, Lillian Gish as the thin-lipped frontier mother and Audie Murphy as a redskin-hating son. But those others are good, as are John Saxon as a laconic Indian horse-wrangler, Albert Salmi as a rancher, Joseph Wiseman as the hoodoo and several more.The scenery is great, the horses vigorous. When they get the projector at the Capitol to work right, the sheer outdoor atmosphere of this picture should have the Western fans flocking for fresh air. Those who expect to see a settlement of the racial question will not be satisfied.

THE UNFORGIVEN; screen play by Ben Maddow, based on a novel by Alan LeMay; directed by John Huston; produced by James Hill; a Hecht-Hill-Lancaster presentation and United Artists release. At the Capitol Theatre. Broadway and Fifty-first Street. Running time: 119 minutes.Ben Zachary . . . . . Burt LancasterRachel Zachary . . . . . Audrey HepburnCash Zachary . . . . . Audie MurphyJohnny Portugal . . . . . John SaxonZeb Rawlins . . . . . Charles BickfordMattilda Zachary . . . . . Lillian GishCharlie Rawlins . . . . . Albert SalmiAbe Kelsey . . . . . Joseph WisemanHagar Rawlins . . . . . June WalkerGeorgia Rawlins . . . . . Kipp HamiltonJude Rawlins . . . . . Arnold MerrittLost Bird . . . . . Carlos RivasAndy Zachary . . . . . Doug McClure

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Genre Kids & Family
Format NTSC
Contributor Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, Arnold Merritt, June Walker, Lillian Gish, Charles Bickford, Albert Salmi, Doug McClure, John Huston, Joseph Wiseman, Ben Maddow, Alan Le May, Kipp Hamilton, Burt Lancaster, John Saxon
Language English
Runtime 2 hours and 5 minutes

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Product Description

Legendary director John Huston is "at the top of his form" (Time) with this "powerful, exciting" (The Film Daily) tale of forbidden love set against America's most rugged and ruthless frontier. Starring Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn and Lillian Gish, and featuring a script by Ben Maddow (The Way West), The Unforgiven is a "tough Texas saga filled with pride, prejudiceand passion" (Video Movie Guide)! Indian by birth, but secretly adopted by whites, Rachel Zachary (Hepburn) soon becomes the target of lawless racism and brutality when her true identity is revealed. The Indians want her back, the local whites want her dead, and her only hope for survival is a man (Lancaster) who must face the most terrifying fight of his lifeto save the woman he loves!

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.35:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 4 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ John Huston
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 5 minutes
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Charles Bickford
  • Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ Spanish
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, French, Spanish
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00008PX7J
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Alan Le May, Ben Maddow
  • #1,056 in Westerns (Movies & TV)
  • #2,515 in Romance (Movies & TV)

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The Unforgiven

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  • Duration: 125 mins

Cast and crew

  • Director: John Huston
  • Screenwriter: Ben Maddow
  • Burt Lancaster
  • Lillian Gish
  • Charles Bickford
  • Audie Murphy
  • Audrey Hepburn

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  1. THE UNFORGIVEN (1960)

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COMMENTS

  1. The Unforgiven

    The Unforgiven Released Apr 6, 1960 2h 5m Drama Romance ... 2005 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Considering how Huston and Lancaster have artistic ...

  2. The Unforgiven (1960 film)

    The Unforgiven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Huston, and starring Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn.Filmed in Durango, Mexico, the supporting cast features Audie Murphy, Charles Bickford, Lillian Gish, John Saxon, Joseph Wiseman, Doug McClure and Albert Salmi.The story is based on the novel The Unforgiven (1957) by Alan Le May. ...

  3. The Unforgiven (1960)

    The Unforgiven: Directed by John Huston. With Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon. The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.

  4. The Unforgiven (1960) Movie Review from Eye for Film

    Tweet. In John Huston's staggering film career there are two westerns. While The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean is a broad comedy, even a farce, The Unforgiven is much closer to a tragedy. While it forms an intriguing counterpoint to The Searchers, also written by Alan Le May, its various difficulties have resulted in it being overlooked.

  5. The Unforgiven (1960)

    This splendid film is an accurate picture of post-Civil War Texas life , much as John Ford had earlier done with Alan LeMay's "The Searchers" . The neighbors of a frontier family named Zachary (Burt Lancaster , Audie Murphy , Doug McClure and their mother excellently played by Lillian Gish) turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiawa tribe .

  6. The Unforgiven (1960)

    The Unforgiven (1960) Mark Franklin June 17, 2015 1960s, 1960s featured. The Zachary family — Ben (Burt Lancaster), Cash (Audie Murphy), Rachel (Audrey Hepburn), Andy (Doug McClure) and their mom (Lillian Gish) — have been carving out a hard existence on a ranch out West. But it's about to pay off.

  7. The Unforgiven 1960 Movie Review

    Title: The Unforgiven (1960) Movie Review: A Timeless Western Masterpiece. Introduction: Released in 1960, "The Unforgiven" is a classic Western film directed by John Huston. With its captivating storyline, stellar performances, and thought-provoking themes, the movie has stood the test of time as a true masterpiece of its genre.

  8. ‎The Unforgiven (1960) directed by John Huston • Reviews, film + cast

    Cast. Burt Lancaster Audrey Hepburn Audie Murphy John Saxon Charles Bickford Lillian Gish Albert Salmi Joseph Wiseman June Walker Kipp Hamilton Arnold Merritt Doug McClure Carlos Rivas. 125 mins More at IMDb TMDb. Sign in to log, rate or review. Share.

  9. The Unforgiven (1960)

    The Unforgiven is a 1960 American western film filmed in Durango, Mexico. It was directed by John Huston and stars Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, Charles Bickford and Lillian Gish. The story is based upon a novel by Alan Le May. The film, uncommonly for its time, spotlights the issue of racism against Native Americans and people ...

  10. The Unforgiven (1960)

    The Unforgiven is a film directed by John Huston with Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon .... Year: 1960. Original title: The Unforgiven. Synopsis: The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.You can watch The Unforgiven through flatrate,Rent,buy,ads on the platforms: Amazon Prime ...

  11. The Unforgiven

    Audie Murphy is surprisingly good as Lancaster's hot-headed brother whose hatred of Indians causes him to abandon his family. Production: James/United Artists. Director John Huston; Producer ...

  12. UNFORGIVEN, THE

    Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz. John Huston's social conscience Western, exposing the ugliness of racism, is set in the Texas Panhandle sometime after the Civil War in the 1860s. It's based on the book by Alan LeMay, who wrote the novel The Searchers was based on. The Unforgiven is not only a study of racism — the orphan Audrey Hepburn lives ...

  13. The Unforgiven (1960)

    Overview. The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe. John Huston. Director.

  14. The Unforgiven (1960)

    Browse 198 ratings, read reviews, watch the trailer, see the cast and crew, and check out statistics for this 1960 drama western film. Film / TV Games People Users Forum Collections Go Currently at the Forum : Art and Culture of the Mini-Review

  15. Unforgiven, The (1960) (Blu-ray Review)

    The Unforgiven is notable for its use of racial slurs, as well as some candid dialogue from the Zachary mother character (played by Lillian Gish). It's also a film that never sat comfortably with the people that made it. John Huston, in particular, wasn't happy with the final product. The financiers of the film battled with him on making a ...

  16. The Unforgiven (1960)

    The film's working titles were The Siege at Dancing Bird and The Siege at Dancing Burg. LeMay's novel, The Unforgiven, was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post under the title Kiowa Moon (6 March-27 April 1957). Onscreen credits state that Dimitri Tiomkin's music was "Recorded in Rome, Italy with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra."

  17. The Unforgiven (1960)

    Two families, Zachary and Rawlins, are neighbours on the Texas frontier. Their peaceful co-existence is shattered when a strange old man informs them that Rachel Zachary is an Indian, stolen from the local Kiowa tribe during a raid by the settlers. This appears to be borne out when a Kiowa warrior approaches the Zacharys, wanting his sister ...

  18. The Unforgiven (1960)

    NR 2 hr 5 min Apr 6th, 1960 Drama, Western, Romance. The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe ...

  19. Facts about "The Unforgiven" : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)

    By Topic By Person By Film. The Unforgiven. "The Unforgiven" was Audrey Hepburn 's only Western. Audrey Hepburn was seriously injured when she was thrown by a horse between scenes. Hepburn, who was several months pregnant, spent six weeks in the hospital and completed her role wearing a back brace, which her wardrobe had to be redesigned to hide.

  20. The Unforgiven (1960) Movie

    The Unforgiven. 1960. NR. Legend Films English 2h 1m. movie. (8) Cast Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy. This classic film from one of the greatest directors of the 20th century (John Huston), boasts an incredible cast. Well-shot and well-acted, with a solid story to boot,...The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is ...

  21. Screen: "The Unforgiven':Huston Film Stars Miss Hepburn, Lancaster

    The writer and Mr. Huston take refuge in a Western cliché. They set the isolated family and the redskin "daughter" to repulsing an Indian raid.It is a beaut of a raid. The ugly varmints come ...

  22. The Unforgiven

    #3,009 in Romance (Movies & TV) Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 607 ratings. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. ... "The Unforgiven" is a wonderful movie starring Burt lancaster and Audrey Hepburn that weaves a number of themes into a tapestry of beautiful colors. It depicts, with a great deal of honesty, the ...

  23. The Unforgiven 1959, directed by John Huston

    Notable chiefly for Franz Planer 's fine photography and for a brace of sturdy performances (with Gish admirably evoking the pioneer spirit), the film is sadly flawed by its stereotyped depiction ...