February 18 - Chisum

Today’s movie is a western with a scene that happens on February 18. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

CHISUM  

John Chisum is a major rancher in Lincoln County, New Mexico. While stopping some cattle rustlers, he meets Billy the Kid, who is working as a ranch hand for Chisum’s neighboring rancher, Englishman Henry Tustall. A third rancher Lawrence Murphy is trying to take over the county, but after he sees Murphy’s illegal and underhanded tactics, Alexander McSween, lawyer and shopkeeper, who Murphy had brought in to help facilitate his takeover goes to work for Chisum and Tunstall. Chisum’s niece Alice arrives for a visit and is attracted to both Billy Boney (a/k/a “Billy the Kid), as well as Pat Garrett, who Chisum hires as a ranch hand. In an ambush by Murphy’s men Billy is wounded but saved by Garrett. On February 18, 1878 [1:01:04 to 1:08:18] Tunstall, who has fatherly feeling towards him, gives Billy the Kid a Bible. Tunstall killed by men working for Murphy. The killers are arrested by Chisum and Garrett, but they along with the sheriff are killed by Billy the Kid. Murphy stooge Nodeen is appointed sheriff. Billy the kid and his gang go to Mcsween’s store to get supplies and end up in a battle with Murphy’s men, during which McSween is killed by Murphy’s men. Mrs. McSween warns Chisum. He drives a herd of catle through the town and his supporters defeat Murphy’s men, while he personally kills Murphy. Garrett is made sheriff, while Billy the Kid moves on as peace is restored to the county.  

Date given in film at 1:04:02

Director - Andrew McLaglen

Screenplay - Andrew J. Fenady

Released – July 29, 1970

Runtime 1 hour 51 min.

Starring –

John Wayne as John Chisum

Forrest Tucker as Lawrence Murphy

Ben Johnson as James Pepper

Patric Knowles as Henry Tunstall

Geoffrey Deuel as Billy The Kid

Pamela McMyler as Sallie Chisum

Glenn Corbett as Pat Garrett

Andrew Prine as Alexander McSween

Christopher George as Dan Nodeen 

Bruce Cabot as Sheriff Brady

Richard Jaeckel as Jess Evans

Lynda Day George as Sue McSween

John Agar as Amos Patton

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2015