Gem of the Month

Ride in the Whirlwind

gamma endorphin

Reviewed on 12/13/2015

Thanks to Showtime Now now being available to stream by offering monthly subscriptions, I found this unknown gem. Made in 1966, it is right out of the Roger Corman "school" of film making. Written and starring Jack Nicholson, I wasn't going to miss this one. The digital transfer is stellar. I couldn't believe I was watching a western made in 1966. Monte Hellman does a fine job of directing. The acting is a little rough around the edges, especially Millie Perkins who seems as though she is auditioning for the 1968 version of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Of course, it might not be her fault. The writing wasn't in favor of giving her a strong female part. She is the farmer's daughter who's family Nicholson and Cameron Mitchell, two cowboys on the run from vigilantes, take hostage. It is a hackneyed western plot, but with solid directing and a respectable performance by Nicholson, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent on this buried treasure. This might easily be Nicholson's finest pre-EASY RIDER performance, at least one with more screen time giving him time to show off his budding talent as an actor... not as a screenwriter.

Spoiler alert: Nicholson, Mitchell and another cowboy happen to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are between cowhand jobs and heading to Texas for work. After riding all day, they find this secluded cabin looking for some vittles and shuteye. Unfortunately it turns out to be the hideout for Blind Dick (Harry Dean Stanton) and his gang of outlaws. When the vigilantes show up the next day, the three cowboys are mistaken to be in Blind Dick's gang and there is no time to explain their innocence. There only chance is to head for the hills, literally. So, begins the ensuing chase and their desperate hope to not end up swinging from the end of a rope hanging from the nearest tree branch.