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Nonureva Really Surprised!

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

rooster_davis This is a fine Western-era movie and you will not be disappointed if you watch it. It's a good story and a very fine script with realistic dialog and character development.James Cagney was in only a couple of Westerns so far as I know, this being one of them, and after seeing 'Tribute To A Bad Man' I wish he had been in more of them. He makes a very appealing and authentic Western character. Don Dubbins, who plays the part of the young Pennsylvania grocery clerk who 'went West', is really good too, and plays his role in earnest. Irene Papas did a very good job at her part, but did not stand out quite as much as did the other leads. In fairness to her, I don't think her role gave her the chance to.The movie's plot is pretty well covered elsewhere, so I'll discuss other things. For one - this is a gorgeous movie - awesome scenery, and scenes beautifully set up and filmed. In many scenes it's a treat for the eyes, and there's plenty of good story to go with the visuals.The movie opens in one of those beautiful scenes, with Don Dubbins riding along on his horse as his voice-over gives us a quick intro into who he is and the adventure he is about to encounter. It ends with one of my favorite movie endings. In another fine scenic, as Dubbins rides off into the distance he says in voice-over (and here comes the spoiler) "I never saw Mr. Rodock again, and I never saw Jocasta again. But I carried them with me wherever I went, and I loved them both my whole life long." Dubbins' delivers these lines perfectly.This is a really enjoyable movie. Guys, your wife or girlfriend will sit and watch it with you and she'll enjoy it too. Give this one a watching next time it comes on and you will not be disappointed.

William James Harper I do NOT like Westerns. In fact, I never watch them because most are so clichéd as to boring due to the repetitions of the proceeding western. That said, I am glad that I read what other people wrote as my curiosity was aroused. Boy, am I glad I saw this movie on Turner Movie Classics! It has to be one of the best kept secrets in film making.How refreshing to see Cagney in a different type of role he's usually cast in. He shines. Watch his face during some of the scenes where he's shot close up. His expression(s) speak more than any words a writer could put in his mouth. Personally, I didn't find Papas that compelling but that's just my take.One of the strong points of the movie is to watch how Cagney's character changes from a hard nosed, determined man to some one who gains a different perspective from those he admires, the young ranch hand and the woman whom he befriended.As to the movie title, this has to be one of the most misleading titles of all times. Cagney is not a bad man by any means in this film. Trying to protect what you've worked all your life to build up makes you a bad man doesn't make you bad. And if you have to take the law into your own hands since there is not law where you live, so be it.

dbdumonteil With a Greek thespian such as highly talented Irene Papas ,playing the part of an ex-dancer called "Jocasta ",and a young boy working in her companion's ranch,I was waiting for an Oedipian western,and it is ,in a way ,as "Jo" is like a mother to Steve,writing letters for his mom,and urging him to leave this place before he becomes like "them"...And of course ,the boy falls for her...But the movie avoids metaphysical pretensions and focuses on the way events,Jo and Jeremy (James Cagney) make a man of him -that's what the young lad says in the first minutes-.Superbly filmed with splendid colors and a good use of the wide screen ,the plot revolves around Jeremy and his horses.Jeremy is an ambiguous character (check the title which is thoroughly appropriate: does a "bad" man deserve a tribute?) Rodock can be very cruel ,a cruelty which culminates in a scene where he forces the thieves to walk some miles on a rocky trail without their boots.But he shows in the last scenes that he longs to be loved too.Hats off to Robert Wise,a director who could excel in westerns ,Musicals ("West Side Story") ,horror movies ("the haunting" (1963!) is better than any horror movie I can think of) ,sci-fi ("the day the earth stood still") ,films noirs ("the set up" " odds against tomorrow " )and made the best movie dealing with death row ("I want to live" )!

349th Heavy Weapons Crew You simply must see Vic's riveting portrayal as the young disillusioned, but still proud Lars Peterson stands up to a cruel and ruthless land baron. Vic has the pivotal role of this top-rated James Cagney western. Vic's show down with Cagney will hold you spellbound!