Second viewing; previously viewed between 1983 and 1986.
Bean is a bank robber who establishes himself in a border town, declares himself judge and hires other former outlaws as his law enforcers. He has a fanatical fixation on an actress whom he has never seen perform. He hooks up with a young Mexican woman, and turns some wandering prostitutes into his assistants' girlfriends. He hangs a series of outlaws without any proper trial. His nemesis is an ambitious lawyer who establishes himself in town.
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Satirical Western with an episodic structure; it is mostly funny and enjoyable, and has a view of the West which is very corrosive, probably in excess of the historical reality, as some commenters have pointed out. While well directed, the critique from the original screenwriter regarding the changes the director imposed on it probably have some merit, especially regarding the insertion of the cringeworthy interlude with song. Still, there is no denying that it is an intelligent and enjoyable film.
Rating: 60 (up from 55)
