I managed to watch SEVEN movies today, which is great news for me because my watchlist is infinite and every little bit helps, but that means I did not really have time to write. And so, here is a very quick post about many Burt Lancaster flicks.
Vera Cruz (1954), dir. Robert Aldrich
The plot to Vera Cruz is: Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster team up to escort a rich lady transporting gold to Vera Cruz. Troubles ensue, characters clash, the historical „Mexican war” setting looms over…
My favourite part was the Cooper-Lancaster, older-younger relationship but even that could have been developed better. It is a fine movie but not my favourite Burt Lancaster western I watched today.
Run Silent Run Deep (1958), dir. Robert Wise
In this one Lancaster teams up with Clark Gable! What else is there to say, I do like a sea-themed movie in August.
Il Gattopardo (1963), dir. Luchino Visconti
This movie is three hours long – but it does not feel like it. And it is beautiful. But! I honestly like the book more and I did not LOVE the book. What does it mean?
The Professionals (1966), dir. Richard Brooks
Burt Lancaster’s western #2 and he teams up to save a rich man’s wife. I admit, it was a pretty engaging adventure, but if I had to pick the best Burt western I watched today, it would be…
Ulzana’s Raid (1972), dir. Robert Aldrich
I am surprised I ended up thinking highly of this film, as at the start it made me cringe A LOT with the racist attitudes towards Native Americans the characters have (westerns, am I right?) – until it got SO over the top, one had to assume it was all very self-aware. It is a heavy movie, an allegory for the times closer to the early 1970s than the Old West. Something tells me I am going to be thinking about this one for some time.
Atlantic City (1980), dir. Louis Malle
People love this movie, which is understandable – it’s wonderful! And it definitely has Burt Lancaster in the best role I saw him in today (but it still does not come close to my absolute favourite of his, Elmer Gantry).
Local Hero (1983), dir. Bill Forsyth
What a fun treat to end the day with Burt Lancaster in a British comedy with Peter Capaldi. Huh. Isn’t culture great.
Swingin' at the Seance 