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Good concept, poorly executed.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

The plot premise is quite simple and a good western big picture style comedy for something from Hollywood in tail end of the innocent mid- 60's. It has a solid cast but the direction has them playing stereotype roles (stern commander, intolerant temperance leader, greedy business man, etc so nothing really great -- just good.The movie does runs too long in the second half during the encampment phase (all participants in the same area) after the sandstorm and would have benefited for a shorter run time. I consider this its primary negative.It carries on a theme that seems to have started in the 60's with comedies (TV) in having catch phrases such "good tax payer and good Republican" used repeatedly although not that memorable.

Amusing take off on cavalry-and Indian movies in which a rambunctious temperance leader called Template (Lee Remick) out to stop cavalry-guarded cargo commanded by a stiff colonel called Thaddeus (Burt Lancaster) and an officer named Slater (Jim Hutton) en route to thirsting Denver miners led by Oraculo (Donald Pleasence) and an old man (Dub Taylor) . As a wagon train heads for Denver with a cargo of whiskey for the miners being attacked by Indians led by Chief Walks-Stooped-Over (Martin Landau) , then chaos and wreak havoc ensue . Overlong but fun Western parody in which satire goes on and on the same premise . This wacky spoof is packed with mayhem , lots of silly laughters and great entertainment and fun . Most of the laughs and sight gags galore work acceptably well ; humor is also bold and intelligent with a myriad of imaginative sketches . Demystified as well as amiable Western was one of a group of diverse characters changed the concept of this particular genre each bent on disproving a popular myth , yet tinged with humor , spoof and combining with anti-heroes , crazy Indians and many other things . John Gay's screenplay besides having more than its fair scraps of funny lines ,throws up rich personages . The formula deals to enhance the comics observations of the western originated on the decade 60 , being continued by the following filmmakers : Andrew McLagen and Burt Kennedy with ¨Support your local gunfighter (one of his better spoof Western)¨ , ¨Support your local sheriff¨ (his highpoint) , ¨Dirty Dingus Mcgee¨ and director Michael Gordon with ¨Texas across the river¨ ; a bit later on , Mel Brooks directed the indispensable ¨Blazing saddles¨ , a surrealist , extreme and gross-out spoof with the ordinary bunch of loonies and loopies . The picture is wonderfully amused and enjoyable with Burt Lancaster as a tough but agreeable officer , Pamela Tiffin as his rebel young daughter and Martin Landau steals the show as a deadpan but hilarious Indian . Special mention to Dub Taylor as the old brawler clearly relishing his comic relief . Colorful cinematography filmed in Ultra Panavision 70 , being rightly shot by excellent cameraman Robert Surtees , super-productions's usual . Jolly and enjoyable musical score by Elmer Berstein , in his ordinary style .This very funny though lumbering motion picture was well produced and directed by John Sturges . He began his directing career at Columbia Pictures, where from 1946-49 he he worked on "12-day wonders" ("B" pictures shot on a 12-day schedule). From there he moved on to MGM where he filmed more "B" pictures, albeit on a larger budget . He established an independent production company in 1959, releasing through United Artists. From 1960-67 he worked under contract for United Artists. His first major hit was the western Dog Day at Black Rock (1955) , which he shot in just three weeks, wrapping up virtually every scene in a single take . He specialized in robust action pictures, particularly westerns. He excelled at bringing to life tautly written stories about tough characters facing difficult circumstances . Throughout his career he regularly alternated hits with misses . He has also been criticized for his lack of stylistic trademarks , though his best films remain exciting to watch . Sturges was expert on all kind of genres , but especially warlike such as : ¨Great Escape¨, ¨Ice Station Zebra¨ and ¨Eagle has landed¨ and Western such as ¨Last train of Gun Hill¨, ¨Magnificent Seven¨, ¨Backlash¨, ¨Law and Jake Webb¨, ¨Joe Kidd¨ and Chino¨, among others . This high-level and Western parody will appeal to Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick fans .

Don't get me wrong. I grew up watching westerns and comedies, and having seen my healthy share of both, and having grown up with this film shown on various UHF channels, as well as seeing it on Sunday afternoon movie programs by network affiliates, I appreciate the film for what it is. I understand the humor, but I just don't find it all that funny.The positives; there's a lot of good stunt work, and some breathtaking cinematography of the nation's southwest. There's the signature shot of a covered wagon being pulled at full gallop over a Mitchell camera, as well as highly disciplined horses who don't bolt at the sound of gunfire.But is it really funny? The politically incorrect Indian/Firewater-humor is dated, but I don't find it particularly offensive. I just am not sure what it is that's all that funny. Donald Pleasance helps add real comic value with his inebriated clairvoyance, and some of the drunken sequences bring a smile to the viewer (the triple and quadruple exposure effect being effective), but it's not guffaw-funny.The comedic plot, especially for a western, teeters beyond being ridiculous. There's no real incentive for the characters to go and do what they're doing. It's a film about some amusing happenstance.But, the film was given enough of a budget to give it a kind of style and put enough familiar faces, locations and overall production values to make it likable by the then movie-going public.Despite its shortcomings, lack of genuine humor and high-budget gloss, I have to admit to having a fondness for it, even though I don't think it's all that good a comedy (if a comedy it all). But it's an old friend, and thus I added the DVD to my collection.If you really must see a comedic western, then do yourself a favor and buy or rent one of James Garner's excellent "Support your local Gunfighter" or "Support your local Sheriff" films.The "Hallelujah Trail" will probably leave you a little wanting in the end, but, strangely enough, satisfied in an uneven way.Watch at your own risk.

If your a person who admires great Western movies, you'll have to see this great Western Comedy classic for yourself. A wonderful cast of actors and actresses and an excellent musical score make up the main ingredients for this 100 Proof Spoof!! Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Brian Keith, Donald Pleasence, John Anderson, Pamela Tiffin, Dub Taylor, Jim Hutton, Martin Landau, Robert J. Wilke, and John Dehner as the Narrator. I must also comment an the rare performance by Donald Pleasence as "Oracle Jones", this was a rather unusual but rather well played role by Pleasence, with his hilariously whiskey soaked visions and high spirits have all the makings of a great comic relief of sorts. Brian Keith also gave a great performance as "Frank Wallingham" with his serious approach as a "Taxpayer and Good Republican Scheeme", the freight owner and whiskey man is reluctantly overturned by many misfits and misfortunes later in the show by Women's Sufferage and the Sioux Indians, Keith is left "sinking" literally to only regain total drunkenness! Last but not least, a totally underrated credit goes to John Dehner, who does a superb role as the narrator in this comedical Western, an unmistakable voice with great quality and clarity. This Movie is well worth owning in your Westerns Collection.