Relentless (1977 TV Movie) User Reviews

Western-in-modern-era where a posse pursues bank robbers in the high country

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 16 June 2017]

Released to TV (CBS) in 1977, "Relentless" stars Will Sampson as a Native American sheriff in Arizona whose tracking & hunting skills prove invaluable as he leads a posse in pursuit of a murderous gang of ex-guerrilla soldiers into the high country. Larry Wilcox, Monte Markham and David Pendleton play posse members while John Hillerman appears as the leader of the bank robbers. Hottie Marianna Hill is on hand as a hostage, although she's seriously underused.

This was Sampson's first starring bill and he proves effective as the towering laconic tracker. This could very well be the first film where a Native American plays a starring Indian hero. Production-wise, the movie's on par with "Pray for the Wildcats" (1974), but not as compelling, although it's notably superior to "Savages" (1974). The score is serviceable, but too bland 70s-ish, although it eventually throws in some good militaristic percussion. The story was taken from the book by the writer of "Death Wish" (1974). While "Relentless" doesn't rise to the excellence of that iconic movie, it's effective enough as a straightforward Western-in-the-modern-day and is worth checking out if you like the cast. Unfortunately, it was never released on VHS or DVD, but it's currently available to view (for free) on Youtube.

The film runs 89 minutes and was shot in Arizona. DIRECTOR: Lee H. Katzin. WRITERS: Sam Rolfe from Brian Garfield's novel.

GRADE: B-

Good Action Adventure Movie

[briangetmail-70510 · 8/10 · 7 July 2019]

Made for tv movie, Monty Markham one of my favorite tv actors is here as an FBI agent and a tough Indian Sheriff who go after some bank robbers. Lots of outdoor scenes as they hunt the bad guys down.Larry Wilcox from CHIPS is the new officer who proves he's a very capable actor as well. I enjoyed watching this one.

Outdoor Adventure

[recluse2 · 6/10 · 26 April 2019]

The beautiful scenery (including snow) was a highlight. Action and story were adequate. It fell a little into the cliche' of the local cop battling the Fed cop for domination, but didn't harp on it overmuch. As actors, the villains were okay, but nothing special. The native american police officer and his rookie partner were the best actors.

*** SPOILERS *** Modern western with a protagonist twist

[Sooner_88 · 7/10 · 2 May 2022]

Released in 1977, you would think a movie starring a token Indigenous actor in a made for TV action movie would be more rememberable, but what you get is a so-so movie that probably could have used some more fleshed out writing for its main star. The rest of the cast fill out the run time of a respectable 90 minutes, that doesn't take long to get the plot moving.

Starting out in the sunny deserts of Arizona, we are introduced to the character Sam Watchman (Will Sampson) who is living the stable life of a sheriff that is upended by tragic events in the death of his uncle at the hands of a gang of former soldiers turned bank robbers lead by Major Leo Hargit (John Hillerman) and his right-hand man Lieutenant Dan Barrackough. Surprisingly, I appreciated the fact that these were not your typical cliche run of the mill bad guys and came off as very morally grey characters that by the end you were getting this sense of sympathy that would make you root for their escape or turning of the leaf. It did for me. Unfortunately, they all die. Other times in modern action movies (Cliffhanger) you would get these generic one note villains who were all about the plot and never about their morals.

The rest of the cast do an excellent job filling in their time, especially the beautiful Marianna Hill playing an isolated damsel named Annie Lansford who is introduced at the thirty-minute mark kicking off the second act. In all respects to her performance, she didn't have much to go off, but did proper takes for what she had to work with. Only disappointment I can think of was that she didn't have no real connection to the main star (Will Sampson) or any other character in the movie. But, in turn I can appreciate the writer and director for doing this because by the end of the movie, you feel that it wasn't cliche for her to be romantically involved into a contrived relationship with its star. I haven't read the book so there wouldn't be any reassurance that I would know if she was written as a love interest or not.

And lastly, the director and star of the movie, Lee H. Katzin and Will Sampson. Katzin's work spans over decades of cult hits from Rat Patrol all the way up to Miami Vice and In the Heat of the Night. He's been in some prominent shows during his time, and being familiar with his work from those choices, I entered this thinking the same. A competent action film that would tackle some touchy themes.

Will Sampson is considered a breakthrough for Indigenous performers, since he was at the time the token "NDN" and obviously was perfect for this movie because of his breakout role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. During the early 70's, Wounded Knee Occupation was going on that seen Native American Protestors and the FBI which can be seen in the film as allegory between Sam Watchman (Will Sampson) and Paul Vickers (Monte Markham). Mr. Sampson for all his short-lived career, has put out some good performances, but here I could say in his first leading role there was much to be desired. It would have been nice to see his character more fleshed out, rather than put in auto pilot once his redemption ark begins. And the questionable tired but true Native American trope of finding traps and listening to the ground for sounds is all but old and archaic for a main lead of indigenous actors and actresses that is long overdue for something more.

As for myself half Indigenous and Caucasian, I felt this was enjoyable to watch to kill some hours before bedtime. 7/10.

Even better than the novel.

[searchanddestroy-1 · 9/10 · 5 January 2020]

I read the Brian Garfield's book many times and I love it. But at my big surprise, this Tv movie is even more superior. Characterization is pulled at a higher level, especially when tle bad guys leader - the former Special forces in Nam officer - talks about his motivations; the audience feels nearly empathy for him. Terrific, I did not expect this and this is not in the novel. And the bad guy whistling or singing When Johnny Comes Marching Home, that was not in the novel either, and it's excellent for me, that brings a little touch in this topic after all not so new, I admit, but still very well made. You'll also notice offbeat camera angles very unusual for this kind of production. And the face to face between those two men, the Special Forces veteran, the master of military warfare, even in the wilderness, and this Indian, master himself too in tracking a prey in desert, woods, snow, anywhere, it's breathless for someone like me.