This is a very good,modern, adult western.Roy Rogers and Clay O'Brien give excellent understated performances.The film exudes conservative beliefs but they arise from the characterizations,it's never preachy. Slowly paced,well acted,sad, tragic and finally life and family affirming ,the film left me wishing Roy Rogers had done more adult westerns late in his life.We would have all benefited. Still this "1" is as good as Will Penny,The Cowboy's and better than Buck Taylor's recent similarly plotted Truce.The film features fine back -up performances by James Hampton,Dennis Fimple,and Joan Hackett.(Remember this really ,really is not for kids as it contains cursing, a peeping Tom, and a murder and a suicide. Whew!)
10 Reviews
Just Plain Roy
bkoganbing3 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
It takes a bit of getting used to Roy Rogers not being Roy Rogers cowboy hero in MacIntosh & TJ. Still for his final big screen appearance Roy decided to do a character part and if he'd wanted to probably could have done more roles like this.
The title roles are played by Roy and young Clay O'Brien respectively. Roy's an old time working cowboy who's not settled down and O'Brien is a young kid of 14 on the road. He's run away because his father has died and he's not liked his mother's choice in companions. The two hit it off and eventually find work at a ranch where Walter Barnes is the foreman and Edith Atwater his wife.
O'Brien did roles in two John Wayne films before this one, The Cowboys and Cahill, US Marshal and the same easy chemistry he had with the Duke he also has with Roy Rogers. Most of the screen time is spent with these two.
It looks very much like they're going to stay on Barnes's ranch, but a jealous husband, a battered wife, and a cowboy with some issues all get involved in their business. It ends in tragedy. The three parts are played respectively by Billy Green Bush, Joan Hackett, and Andrew Robinson.
Of the three Hackett is the one to watch. Charlton Heston who worked with Joan Hackett in Will Penny in his memoirs paid tribute to her grace and talent. Without much in the way of dialog she does a marvelous job in portraying a battered spouse.
For those who remember Roy Rogers in those fancy western shirts and fancy designed boots seeing him dressed as just a regular cowboy takes a bit of getting used to. It was over 20 years since he made his last big screen appearance and a little less for when his television western series ended its run. I wonder what made him decide to do this film, it might have been to see if he could play a character. He sure didn't need the money. Oh, and Roy is wearing reading glasses at times so you know he's conceding his age.
When I heard he was doing this film back in the Seventies I wanted to see it, but it never played in New York. Mackintosh & TJ apparently only played in the red state market like so many films that never make it to the east. So when I finally did get to see it, it was a double pleasure in it was good.
Roy only did two more acting roles, on the television series Wonder Woman and The Fall Guy. Mackintosh & TJ is a very nice farewell big screen performance to the most famous of cowboy heroes.
The title roles are played by Roy and young Clay O'Brien respectively. Roy's an old time working cowboy who's not settled down and O'Brien is a young kid of 14 on the road. He's run away because his father has died and he's not liked his mother's choice in companions. The two hit it off and eventually find work at a ranch where Walter Barnes is the foreman and Edith Atwater his wife.
O'Brien did roles in two John Wayne films before this one, The Cowboys and Cahill, US Marshal and the same easy chemistry he had with the Duke he also has with Roy Rogers. Most of the screen time is spent with these two.
It looks very much like they're going to stay on Barnes's ranch, but a jealous husband, a battered wife, and a cowboy with some issues all get involved in their business. It ends in tragedy. The three parts are played respectively by Billy Green Bush, Joan Hackett, and Andrew Robinson.
Of the three Hackett is the one to watch. Charlton Heston who worked with Joan Hackett in Will Penny in his memoirs paid tribute to her grace and talent. Without much in the way of dialog she does a marvelous job in portraying a battered spouse.
For those who remember Roy Rogers in those fancy western shirts and fancy designed boots seeing him dressed as just a regular cowboy takes a bit of getting used to. It was over 20 years since he made his last big screen appearance and a little less for when his television western series ended its run. I wonder what made him decide to do this film, it might have been to see if he could play a character. He sure didn't need the money. Oh, and Roy is wearing reading glasses at times so you know he's conceding his age.
When I heard he was doing this film back in the Seventies I wanted to see it, but it never played in New York. Mackintosh & TJ apparently only played in the red state market like so many films that never make it to the east. So when I finally did get to see it, it was a double pleasure in it was good.
Roy only did two more acting roles, on the television series Wonder Woman and The Fall Guy. Mackintosh & TJ is a very nice farewell big screen performance to the most famous of cowboy heroes.
Solid hour and half of testosterone
spontaneousweasel4 July 2021
As someone unfamiliar to his filmography, Roy Rogers nails it as the titular Mackintosh as he drifts along with the great supporting cast. It's bolstered by a solid soundtrack and nice slow cowboy pacing helps with the authenticity. The dialogue feels genuine but the plot eventually drifts from its focus on the young boy he befriends onto a workplace drama that came across a bit forced. Definitely worth a watch for you cowpokes out there y'hear?
A Great Farewell to a Great Man and a Childhood Hero.
swojtak31 May 2021
I gave it a 10 not only because it was a very well done movie, a great sound track with Waylon Jennings, great real life photography, and real life characters. In addition, a 10 for a great send off to one of my childhood cowboy heroes. My top 3 were Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, and Roy Rodgers.
He may have made this film as a legacy to himself. He may have wanted his fans to see him as a real man still in his prime and not as a old man. The same with Hopalong because he got cancer and did not want his fans to see as a sick old man.
The Roy Rogers museum was in Victorville, CA but was moved to Branson, Missouri. For more information regarding Cowboy Heroes visit the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles, CA .
I wish a fond farewell to Roy Rogers, "The King of the Cowboys" who rode off into the sunset and who left a lifetime impression on millions of children and "older" children. There will never be another like him. Lastly, I have to mention Dale Evans and Trigger!
Happy Trails Until We Meet Again!
He may have made this film as a legacy to himself. He may have wanted his fans to see him as a real man still in his prime and not as a old man. The same with Hopalong because he got cancer and did not want his fans to see as a sick old man.
The Roy Rogers museum was in Victorville, CA but was moved to Branson, Missouri. For more information regarding Cowboy Heroes visit the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles, CA .
I wish a fond farewell to Roy Rogers, "The King of the Cowboys" who rode off into the sunset and who left a lifetime impression on millions of children and "older" children. There will never be another like him. Lastly, I have to mention Dale Evans and Trigger!
Happy Trails Until We Meet Again!
Roy Rogers as Mackintosh--Excellent
tlodge-3983312 July 2017
Finally got to see Roy Rogers last Movie of his long career.
Got the DVD this week & was not at all disappointed at all in the movie. Very well done and the movie felt believable.
For Roy Rogers last movie it was well done, wish he had done a few more movies by not playing Roy Rogers and taking on a character he made his own.
Well done Roy, had the pleasure of meeting you at 1991 at your Roy Rogers and Dale Evens museum in Victorville California. Finally got to meet my childhood hero from The Roy Rogers Show from the 1950s
Got the DVD this week & was not at all disappointed at all in the movie. Very well done and the movie felt believable.
For Roy Rogers last movie it was well done, wish he had done a few more movies by not playing Roy Rogers and taking on a character he made his own.
Well done Roy, had the pleasure of meeting you at 1991 at your Roy Rogers and Dale Evens museum in Victorville California. Finally got to meet my childhood hero from The Roy Rogers Show from the 1950s
Slow, meandering and yet delightful.
planktonrules29 June 2021
"Mackintosh and T. J." is an incredibly unusual Roy Rogers film...one I am very glad I watched, as I have loved his old B-westerns. If you are a fan, it's definitely a must-see!
The story is a very slow and deliberately paced film about a hard working drifter, Mackintosh (Rogers) and a slice of his life. It begins with Mackintosh passing through a Texas town and finding a teenage boy who is on his own (T. J.). The two soon become friends and stick together through the story...and although there are some serious fireworks in the film towards the end, it's more about the pair and their friendship than anything else.
While I am not a huge fan of country music, I really loved the soundtrack, with mostly songs by Waylon Jennings as well as one with Willie Nelson. I mention this because it worked very well with the film but also because the only song mentioned on IMDB is sung by Nelson....but nearly all are actually sung by Jennings. It is sad, however, that they didn't have Rogers sing in the film...as even at 64 he had a lovely voice.
Overall, a really sweet film that is one that you may not enjoy as much if you don't love Roy Rogers....but you'll still enjoy it since it's written so well and Rogers is terrific. Well worth seeing and I'm glad it was recently restored and placed on DVD, which I found on Amazon.
The story is a very slow and deliberately paced film about a hard working drifter, Mackintosh (Rogers) and a slice of his life. It begins with Mackintosh passing through a Texas town and finding a teenage boy who is on his own (T. J.). The two soon become friends and stick together through the story...and although there are some serious fireworks in the film towards the end, it's more about the pair and their friendship than anything else.
While I am not a huge fan of country music, I really loved the soundtrack, with mostly songs by Waylon Jennings as well as one with Willie Nelson. I mention this because it worked very well with the film but also because the only song mentioned on IMDB is sung by Nelson....but nearly all are actually sung by Jennings. It is sad, however, that they didn't have Rogers sing in the film...as even at 64 he had a lovely voice.
Overall, a really sweet film that is one that you may not enjoy as much if you don't love Roy Rogers....but you'll still enjoy it since it's written so well and Rogers is terrific. Well worth seeing and I'm glad it was recently restored and placed on DVD, which I found on Amazon.
Bar Scene fight
lilmiss4206-931-1258124 February 2017
I had the pleasure to be one of the extras in the bar scene fight that was filmed in my mother- in- laws club The Palamino Club in Lubbock,Tx. My husband Charles was the bartender in the scene. I thought it was one of the best movies Roy done, same as all his movies. Too bad we don't have more of our cowboy movies like Roy whom I thought was a great friendly man and thankful to have met him.
A good Roy Rogers movie
vandude21 June 2022
This scrpt was written for Rogers, and it shows. Everything that makes him a star is highlighted. Relaxed, easy talking, says a lot with a squint. He's charming. Terrific young star as TJ, that is a perfect match. The movie is simple, but revealing. Fascinating portrait of Texan ranch life. You feel the wide open spaces, the simple beauty, and the hard work and heat. A must-see for Rogers fans and fans of West Texas Larry McMurtry stories.
An enjoyable modern-day (1975) western.
c-blee31 July 2022
We really enjoyed this movie. More honest than most movies about ranches and day-working cowboys. It had some great shots of a historic, well fed cattle herd. No glitz and glamor, just the real deal. This is how some men earned their living.
Roy Rogers and Clay O'Brian have a quiet, respectful relationship. An older cowboy (gentleman) teaching a young boy some important life lessons. This would be a good movie for parents or grandparents to watch with youngsters. There are life lessons of respect for women, the importance of hard work and how non-truthful gossip can cause tragedy.
Roy Rogers and Clay O'Brian have a quiet, respectful relationship. An older cowboy (gentleman) teaching a young boy some important life lessons. This would be a good movie for parents or grandparents to watch with youngsters. There are life lessons of respect for women, the importance of hard work and how non-truthful gossip can cause tragedy.
Cringe-worthy
Ripshin3 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
An odd mix of 40s cowboy movie clichés, and light 70s drama.
I understand that this was written specifically for Rogers, briefly coming out of retirement. I find it an odd choice.
First of all, a 64 year-old cowboy hooking up with an underaged, fourteen year-old kid? Creepy. I know, I know. It's Roy Rogers. But seriously? The issue is somewhat addressed, when another "funny" cowboy briefly gives the kid a ride, and (offscreen) we find out that he makes moves on TJ. I assume that was meant to address the obvious, and emphasize the innocence of Roger's intentions.
Once they arrive at the (real) 6666 Ranch, the film sinks into a folksy, 40s cowboy throwback, with some PG issues tossed into the mix.
I find the whole film to be somewhat ridiculous, and outdated (in 1975).
I understand that this was written specifically for Rogers, briefly coming out of retirement. I find it an odd choice.
First of all, a 64 year-old cowboy hooking up with an underaged, fourteen year-old kid? Creepy. I know, I know. It's Roy Rogers. But seriously? The issue is somewhat addressed, when another "funny" cowboy briefly gives the kid a ride, and (offscreen) we find out that he makes moves on TJ. I assume that was meant to address the obvious, and emphasize the innocence of Roger's intentions.
Once they arrive at the (real) 6666 Ranch, the film sinks into a folksy, 40s cowboy throwback, with some PG issues tossed into the mix.
I find the whole film to be somewhat ridiculous, and outdated (in 1975).
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