Men of the law

Movie
German title	Men of the law
Original title	Posse
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1975
length	93 minutes
Age rating	FSK 12
Rod
Director	Kirk Douglas
script	Christopher Knopf , ; William Roberts
production	Kirk Douglas, ; Phil Feldman
music	Maurice Jarre
camera	Fred J. Koenekamp
cut	John W. Wheeler
occupation
	Kirk Douglas : Howard Nightingale; Bruce Dern : Jack Strawhorn; Bo Hopkins : Wesley; James Stacy : Harold Hellman; Luke Askew : Krag; David Canary : Pensteman; Alfonso Arau : Pepe; Katherine Woodville : Mrs. Cooper; Mark Roberts : Mr. Cooper; Beth Brickell : Carla Ross; Dick O'Neill : Wiley; William H. Burton : McCanless; Louie Elias : Rains; Gus Greymountain : Reyno;

Men of the Law (original title: Posse) is an American western directed by Kirk Douglas from 1975 . The film was in the area of Tucson ( Arizona turned).

action

The story takes place in Texas in 1890. US Marshal Howard Nightingale is running for the office of US Senator . To distinguish himself in the fight against crime, he and his people travel across the country on the Texas & Arizona Railroad's (T. & ARR) Silver Star special train .

After Strawhorn kills a small town sheriff , Nightingale's men pursue him. A fight ensues in which they kill several of Strawhorn's accomplices - including those who want to surrender. Nightingale arrests Strawhorn.

Strawhorn succeeds in overpowering Nightingale; he locks him in the cage on the train that was actually intended for him. Strawhorn humiliates the marshal by ridiculing the people of his Tahoma residence. Nightingale's men switch to Strawhorn's side and become his new gang.

Reviews

Vincent Canby wrote in the New York Times on June 5, 1975 that the film was "friendly" and "sometimes original" ("brilliant, sometimes witty"). Although it is an action film, it also addresses questions of morality, although "curiously" he seems to prefer the outlaws. Kirk Douglas proves his talent as a director; the script was also praised.

The magazine TV direkt 10/2007 wrote that the film contained numerous "critical undertones".

Phil Hardy calls the film “bizarre and enjoyable, […], cleverly and logically written.” Dern's performance is “superb”. Joe Hembus notes that the film follows "the fashion trend of commenting on current politics."

“Ideologically questionable dispute over problems of law and order in America of the Wild West. The amateurish staged directorial debut of the main actor. "

- Lexicon of international film

Awards

Kirk Douglas' directorial debut was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 1975 Berlinale .

Web links

Men of the law in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Men of Law at Rotten Tomatoes (English)

Individual evidence

↑ Filming locations for posse . In: Internet Movie Database , accessed June 27, 2015.
^ Review by Vincent Canby (English).
↑ TV direkt 10/2007, p. 58.
^ Phil Hardy: The Encyclopedia of Western Movies . Woodbury Press, Minneapolis 1984, ISBN 0-8300-0405-X , p. 348.
↑ Joe Hembus: Western Lexicon - 1272 films from 1894-1975 . Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich / Vienna, 2nd edition 1977, ISBN 3-446-12189-7 , p. 372.
↑ Men of the Law. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed June 27, 2015 .

[1] Filming locations for posse . In: Internet Movie Database , accessed June 27, 2015.

[2] Review by Vincent Canby (English).

[3] TV direkt 10/2007, p. 58.

[4] Phil Hardy: The Encyclopedia of Western Movies . Woodbury Press, Minneapolis 1984, ISBN 0-8300-0405-X , p. 348.

[5] Joe Hembus: Western Lexicon - 1272 films from 1894-1975 . Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich / Vienna, 2nd edition 1977, ISBN 3-446-12189-7 , p. 372.

[6] Men of the Law. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed June 27, 2015 .