Watch Harry Tracy, Desperado For Free

You won't be disappointed!

the audience applauded

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

You gotta love those goshdarned IMDb volunteer reviewers (of whom, of course, your humble scribe is one). Generally they appear literally out of nowhere to heap praise on a movie that really appealed to them, back in the day, no matter how obscure the production, or what the reaction of the crowd was at the time. (A phenomenon I noted specifically in my IMDb review of Johnny Cool.) Interestingly, unlike Marc Antony, they seldom "come to bury Caesar," but, rather, almost always to praise him. (There is a reason for this -- if you point a finger at a beloved flick, someone's pet favourite, you are penalized with a "not useful" rating. The bittersweet irony, of course, is that the time spent contemplating the review is always the same, whether the review is judged "useful" or not, so in all cases where a comment is ticked the reviewer has still done his job, regardless of the heaping scorn.) Which brings us, in a roundabout way, to this film. Rather than engage in fisticuffs with all the other commentators who are simply beside themselves telling you how good this film is, I would rather draw your kind attention to the significant fact that the IMDb has only one single professional review listed, FROM AN OUTFIT THAT MAINLY TALKS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF TRANSFER FROM CELLULOID TO DVD; in other words, an outfit what will usually try to ENCOURAGE you to buy the DVD, and even THAT review deployed the specific words "this is not an especially good film." And, frankly, truer words were never written. Leaving aside Dern's work -- he could not give a bad performance if the character he was playing was actually written as a "bad actor" -- this film actually destroyed the career of the producer and the production company behind it, as well as (as is the nature of the biz) a daisy-chain of other films, in development, that were conditional on the success of this one. That's how bad it was. Think about that. Put on your sci-fi Trekkie hats for a moment. Go all "Butterfly Effect" on me. Because of the wretchedness of this film, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other films that simply do exist in the IMDb database because they were never made, at least in this reality timeline. And please keep this information in mind the next time you are tempted to sing the praises of a production which, at the time of its release, was rejected both by its peers and its audience both. Yes, film is indeed a journey to a magical land. But reviewers, on the other hand, need to keep both feet firmly in the mundane world.

The film begins in Aspen Colorado, 1899, Harry Tracy(Bruce Dern) is detained but the judge's daughter (Helen Shaver) helps the known gunslinger. Then he escapes and unites forces to David Merrill(Michael G. Wynne) , being relentlessly pursued by Marshal Nathan (Gordon Lightfoot). Later on , the legendary Harry Tracy is caught in Aspen escape attempt .This is glamorous and whimsical story about an outlaw in the closing days of the Old West though a little bit boring. Packs colorful scenarios, slow-moving pace and slick edition. Wonderful cinematography by Allen Daviau filmed in British Columbia, though is necessary an urgent remastering .Atmospheric score with folk music and a song sung by Gordon Lightfoot. The producer Ronald Cohen wishes to acknowledge the following for their co-operation in the making of the film: British Columbia vial, Ministry of Tourism, and Heritage Park, Calgary Alberta. The film is co-financed with the participation of the Canadian Film Development corporation and Famous Players. The motion picture is professionally realized by William A Graham who displays enough off-beat touches to keep things interesting.Adding more details over the largely described on the movie, deeds happened of the following way : Harry Tracy (Bruce Dern) whose real name was Harry Severns (1875-1902) , he is said to have run with Butch Cassidy and by the time he'd reached adulthood he was actively taking part on act of robbery and theft.His legendary escapes made him both a wanted gunfighter and exalted folk hero. On March 1, 1898 Tracy and 3 accomplices engaged in a gunfight at Brown's Park Colorado in which a posse-man was murdered. Then Harry join forces with another bandit named David Merrill (Michael G. Wynne). Tracy and accomplice were captured but escaped in June 1898 from the Aspen Colorado jail. In late 1901, Tracy was captured, convicted and incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary. On July 3, 1902 he set up an ambush near Bothell, Washington, where he killed a deputy and a detective during a shootout. Tracy fled and took several hostages in a residence and engaged other law enforcement in a shoot'em up. On august 6, 1602 in Creston, Washington Tracy was cornered and shot in the leg during an ambush by a posse from Lincoln County, resulting his leg being badly injured. Sheriff Gardner ( in the film Marshal Nathan played by Gordon Lightfoot) arrived and had the field encircled that Tracy had crawled into. Harry committed suicide to avoid capture.

This film was filmed mostly on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The scenery is beautiful. Bruce Dern plays Harry Tracy - the last great outlaw. It is 1900, and not only has he survived all other famous outlaws, but has a restless, free spirit and charm. Dern Tracy's could have been a Buddhist guru, because he doesn't seem to care about whether he lives or dies. Money is amusing, but not everything. He continues to rob banks, meeting people along the way. His nemesis is a federal Marshal from Utah played by Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot seems to fit into the role in a quirky way. He is understated. He doesn't say much, but seems to have one quality to his benefit - persistence, at all cost, to get Harry Tracy. Another character is a painter, who believes that he can be an outlaw. He is an incompetent outlaw, and because of this develops extreme jealously and contempt for Tracy. Lastly, there is the society woman, the daughter of the judge assigned to getting Tracy, who falls for Tracy's charm. This movie was quite good. I especially like the scenes of Portland and the prison. You really believed that the film captured to the most minute detail what Oregon looked like in 1900. I also like that Tracy was obsessed was his image and reputation with the public. It was as if he could sense that in only 10-15 years, Hollywood would start making films about outlaws like himself.

Safe to say I don't know much about the career or films of Bruce Dern.I do however know all about the career of Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot,who plays the U.S. Marshall in the film,he's almost unrecognizable. He's the one in the picture to the left/right with the beard,mustache & hat. (I'm a major fan of his with every album he's put out.) Most remembered for songs like 1974's "Sundown" and 1976's "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitrzgerald",this was his 1st and only foray into acting (except for an episode of ABC's "Hotel" in 1988). I can honestly say that he doesn't do too bad a job,although Mr. Lightfoot may tell you different. His character vows to hunt Harry down and bring him in.Trouble is,Harry always seems to be able to embarrass him by escaping just the same or making him look foolish in other ways.Still,I'm happy to say the now 67 year old (2005-2006) stayed in the music business and still draws a crowd. Besides,whoever said a Marshall had to be larger than life anyway? Hollywood?As for the overall movie itself,its really good! Harry Tracey is a robber,a killer and "Desperado" as they were called back then. Still,when he goes from town to town,people greet him like he's a celebrity. Which is true of most outlaws back then. Harry doesn't however just shoot down folks in cold blood,he only shoots those who may be trying to get him first.The sets fit perfectly with the era,making it historically accurate for 1899 to early 1900's. The cast does a great job at making this an exciting believable drama & love story. Although,I had a little trouble believing a man like Harry could have time to frolic on the beach with a woman he's fallen for though.Overall,it's a truly great adventure,love story and western...right up to it's great climax,which I wont spoil it for you but I will say the closing song "My Love For You" (by Gordon Lightfoot),plays over the end credits and while not available on record,tape or CD...it's a beautiful coda to all that you'll have watched. I have 2 copies of this on DVD,one open one not,re-titled: "Harry Tracy,Last Of The Wild Bunch" (Which he wasn't by the way) One star short of ten because there's no closed captioning/sub-titles on the DVD. (END)