Showdown (1973) User Reviews

Amiable western starring 2 over-the-hill stars

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 21 April 2012]

It's good to see this western out on DVD, although the transfer is just "okay".

I'll admit to being a huge Dino fan, but I disagree with a few others who have posted here...this is a pretty average western flick of the old style...which isn't saying a lot since by the 1970s most western flicks were pretty average. The story is actually okay -- two friends split up, one becoming a sheriff (Rock Hudson), and the other becoming a train robber (Dean Martin). Some would say the age of the two stars (Dean was 56 at this time and Rock was 48) was a bit illogical. But I don't suppose all sheriffs or robbers were young. So that's fine, but where the age doesn't work is in the flashback scenes as the two friends ambled along in earlier years. This was the last major starring role for both actors. Hudson soon turned to television, and Dean's films weren't making the bucks anymore. Dean does some of his own horse riding here, though not as much as in his younger years. Dean loved making westerns, and in many of his westerns he did most of his own riding. During the making of this film his favorite movie horse died, and apparently he was quite broken up over it.

The scenery is genuine and very nice -- northern New Mexico and probably a bit of southern Colorado (and you can still ride this very train). Kudos for the director in selecting the locales.

The story is this -- Dean teams up with some robbers to rob a train, then has a falling out with them, shoots one of them, and skedaddles with the loot. So the 2 remaining are after him. As is the sheriff -- his old friend, Hudson. Dean eventually gets caught...sort of...or gives himself up...sort of. But the DA breaks a promise while Rock is out of town with his wife (Susan Clark), Dean escapes, and the chase is on again. The end is pretty predictable, but the filming in the forest fire is a different slant on things, and quite effective.

If you like old-style westerns, you'll like this one. The first half could be a little less sentimental, but it builds nicely. It's a GOOD film, but not a great one. Very watchable, however, and the second half is much better than the early portions.

Pretty As A Picture

[boblipton · 6/10 · 7 August 2019]

Old friends and partners Rock Hudson and Dean Martin unwillingly collide when Martin is wanted for train robbery and Hudson is the sheriff who has to catch him, which he does when his wife, Susan Clark, stands between the two men.

George Seaton's first western and last movie is an oddly paced affair. Both men seem to be uncomfortable at all time, and Miss Clark very relaxed. I attribute this to the idea that it seems a more more calculated to show off Ernest Laszlo's stunning cinematography than a story film. True, westerns, the most conservative of movie genres, was always more about the camerawork and vistas of the old western than stories; western writer Frank Gruber said there were only seven plots for westerns, so what else was a western movie supposed to be about other than the pictures? Yet even the great color westerns of the 1950s always had an artificial look to them. Laszlo's camerawork is seemingly more casual and gorgeous for that.

The print and transfer I saw were both carefully done. That always helps.

Simple Western about a rough confrontation with strong characterization

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 8 November 2021]

Decent Western , but neither extraordinary , nor notable , but acceptable ; dealing with two tough men who had been friends from infancy , until they fell out over attentions of their intimate sweetheart whom one of them married . After a train robbery committed in New Mexico, a small bunch sets-out to divide the loot . However , a disagreement over the shares causes one gang member , Billy Massey (Dean Martin) , to take the whole loot and run towards the Mexican border , being pursued by the remaining band formed by revenge-seeking outlaws . Unfortunately , band member Billy Massey is a very close childhood friend of the sheriff Chuck Jarvis (Rock Hudson) who's married to their beloved sweetheart (Susan Clark) . Now it's up to Chuck to bring Billy to Justice ....when the running stops and the bullets begin . Together they fought for survival...now their guns must turn against each other!

This is a tremendously exciting story of two men who have been friends since childhood - Damon and Pythias lookalike- , as they find themselves on opposite ends of the law , as Chuck became the honest town sheriff , while Billy took to train robbing . It begins as a sluggish , slow-moving Western but follows to surprise us with peculiar , rudimentary characters and solid plot . The tale is almost routine , and full of clichés , an upright sheriff and his old partner turned into a bandit come to join and separate , just in time to confront enemies but later the events get worse . The highlights of the film are the facing off between Rock Hudson and Dean Martin and the climatic showdown on the ending . Sober and adequate acting by Rock Hudson , but Dean Martin is better as the rebel and unconventional outlaw , his performance and role bear similarity to the one he played in ¨Rough Night in Jericho (1967)¨. It displays a vivid and lively musical score by David Rose and atmospheric cinematography by Ernest Laszlo . Watchable results for this offbeat Western.

The motion picture was professionally directed by George Seaton. This craftsman was a nice professional and a polish writer and a director who occasionally rose well above his average standard and was twice rewarded with Academy Award for so making . Seaton formed a partnership with William Perlberg , was to produce all Seaton's movies for several years . Both of them produced and directed the following successes as ¨Miracle on 34th Street¨, ¨The country girl¨, a monster Box office as ¨Airport¨ , the warlike movie : ¨Counterfeit traitor¨ and , another unusual War film as ¨36 hours¨ . Rating : 6/10 , acceptable and passable . The flick will appeal to Rock Hudson and Dean Martin fans. Worthwhile watching .

Watchable though unexceptional

[Wizard-8 · 29 June 2002]

Though it breezes along at an amiable pace, there's really nothing special about this particular western. It has a lot of stuff that ends up being irrelevant, such as with the character of the sheriff's wife, and the multiple flashbacks. Though the technical side is professional, it resembles a made-for-TV movie of the time. Still, there is some interest here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Hong Kong director John Woo saw this, because there are elements and themes here that can be found in his movies.

Verrry '70s, but it's Dean Martin, so...

[RamblerReb · 7/10 · 18 April 2011]

This film would have made a fairly good romantic triangle comedy in a more modern setting, but the western aspects of the film jar against the charming comic rivalry between Hudson and Dino for the female lead's attention. The early-'70s feel of the script didn't gel with the time period. Don't get me wrong, the banter and verbal sparring made me chuckle, but it is dialogue I would expect to take place in a Manhattan apartment between three urban sophisticates.

Of course, Dean Martin's amiable charm elevates this, as it always does all his films, above what it would have been without him. Hudson struggles valiantly, but his is unable to muster the star power to compete with Martin's effortless performance playing himself again. Martin's sheer charisma forces everyone else to up their game, but at the same time mutes them in the face of his good-humored zest for life. One thinks that seeing a person playing essentially the same character again and again would become monotonous, but Martin never gets stale no matter how many times he mugs and smirks and breaks the fourth wall.

The downer ending is a bit of a deal-breaker, as I'd have preferred Hudson or anybody else to have died than who did, but it is still worth checking out for Dino completists.

Quite enjoyable...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 30 May 2022]

When I sat down to watch the 1973 Western "Showdown" here in 2022, it was actually the very first time I have ever seen it. In fact, it was my very first time to ever have heard about the movie as well. Then again, I haven't really been harboring much interest for the Western genre before earlier this year.

So I have to say that I didn't have any expectations to writers Theodore Taylor and Hank Fine as I sat down to watch "Showdown". But I figured that since the movie had Rock Hudson and Dean Martin on the cast list, then I would most likely be in for something worthwhile.

And now having seen "Showdown", I will admit that this was actually a rather enjoyable and entertaining movie. Director George Seaton put together a very good narrative from the works of the writers, and the movie was actually good from beginning and right up to the end. So, it was definitely a movie well-worth sitting down to watch.

"Showdown" has a good cast, with Rock Hudson playing Chuck Jarvis and Dean Martin playing Billy Massey. They were really nicely cast for the leading roles. The movie also have some other familiar faces on the cast list, such as Susan Clark, Donald Moffat, John McLiam and Ed Begley Jr.

If you enjoy Western movies, then "Showdown" is without a doubt a movie that is worth watching, and it has that particularly enjoyable Western atmosphere to it. I was genuinely entertained by this movie.

My rating of "Showdown" lands on a six out of ten stars.

underrated last western the dean martin

[platini14 · 7/10 · 26 July 2010]

this is the last.western the dean martin and i believed what is very underrated. Dean martin now in duel acting with Rock Hudson, in other film of brothers in conflict. where dean is the star in this film. Rock Hudson is fine as opposite a dean. Respect to movie is very nice shots of scenario context to history. wonderful ambientation . very much suspense with elements what i don't view in others westerns in resume an western distinct in the style of Dean Martin what deserve more popularity with the public. this is a film lost in time and very difficult to watch for this reason. very little know in 1973 when its realized.

"I'm going' out and shoot the man down".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 7 September 2016]

Following a series of flashbacks, boyhood friends wind up on opposite sides of the law in this by the book Western tale. Fans of Dean Martin and Rock Hudson will probably get some enjoyment out of this picture but the story has been done time and time again, so be forewarned if you haven't seen it yet. One thing that caught my interest was the names of both men's horses - Chuck Jarvis (Hudson) had one named Almanac, and Bill Massey's (Martin) mount was named Tops. Both kind of unusual, I'm thinking that those might have been their real names.

A couple of other interesting elements popped up as well. After having watched a few hundred Westerns by now, I don't believe I've ever seen a rider mask his horse's footprints by covering them with rawhide the way Jarvis did. That was an unusual maneuver to prevent his being tracked. There was also that bizarre shotgun load being fixed up by attorney Wilson (John McLiam), consisting of busted glass and scrap iron. I was waiting for that tease to play out but it never happened. Probably a good thing.

What was really cool though was that 1890's version of a Sears Roebuck washing machine Kate Jarvis (Susan Clark) was using to wash her clothes for the first time. It seemed to me that laundering by hand might have been easier considering the amount of muscle expenditure required. I guess modern appliances had to start someplace.

So the showdown of the title didn't turn out the way one might have expected between the former childhood friends. Actually, I had a bad feeling about Massey when Jarvis headed out for the last time to track down his man. Not that I thought the two buddies would have it out between them, but that outlaw posse was pretty single minded about hunting Massey down. Too bad for Dino.

Strictly a been-there-done-that western...the actors look as bored as viewers are likely to be

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 17 August 2011]

Director George Seaton's last film is an inert, tepid western about two childhood pals and one-time cattle-ranch partners winding up on divergent paths: one (Dean Martin) joins a small gang of outlaws and robs a train near Bisbee while the other (Rock Hudson) becomes sheriff of the neighboring community. Formula drama without any hint of suspense or even wayward humor. As soon as the crooked foursome robs the train, they split up over greed (with Dino taking control of the loot); Hudson hears about the robbery and immediately takes off on his horse, only to end up at his office sitting behind a desk. Nothing in Theodore Taylor's screenplay seems fresh or well thought out, and most of the dialogue is downright atrocious ("That hold-up was as slick as spit on a round doorknob!"). Hudson gives a little more energy than enervated Martin, but everyone in the cast seem to realize this is fatigued material. David Shire's score is a minor asset. *1/2 from ****

This movie could have been so much better!

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 27 January 2023]

The first portion of "Showdown" is very slow, talky, predictable and uninteresting. This is sad as the final portion shows much more imagination and is actually very good.

When the story begins, Billy (Dean Martin) is involved in a train robbery. Soon, his old friend, Chuck (Rock Hudson), meets up with him because Chuck is now a lawman. He captures Billy and convinces Billy to turn himself in, as the local judge has promised leniency.

While Billy is in jail awaiting his trial, the judge shows his true colors. The trial was set for a few weeks in the future but they rush it ahead since Chuck is out of town and they don't want him to testify for Billy...and they don't want Chuck to remind the court of the promise of leniency. The judge obviously intends to hang Billy...and when Chuck finds out, he comes storming back to help his old friend.

The first part of the film is glacially slow and easily could have been but in half. Too many flashbacks also hurt the momentum of the first portion. However, the final part is taut, interesting and worth seeing...it's just too bad the film is so bad up until then.

Showdown

[CinemaSerf · 5/10 · 27 May 2023]

I have always had difficulty watching Rock Hudson getting into physically grittier parts; somehow he just doesn't ever quite convince me - he is just a bit too "clean cut" to be seen in a muddy outfit, or be in a fist-fight... This film sees him as the sheriff ("Chuck") out on the trail of old pal Dean Martin ("Billy") who has - almost playfully - helped a gang of outlaws rob a train. Things start to go south shortly after that and soon Hudson is on his trail and a local posse is on the trail of them both! It's not the most complex storyline you will ever see, and the stars - alongside a rather feisty Susan Clark as Hudson's wife provide a nicely paced western adventure. Apparently the two men were a bit like rutting stags during filming, but it doesn't cross into the production - it's a decent, if largely forgettable, 100 mins.

Damon and Pythias

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 8 June 2005]

Showdown is another version of the two buddies who take different turns in the road of life. It borrows elements from George Marshall's supremely enjoyable Texas which starred two very young players named Glenn Ford and Bill Holden.

The buddies here are Dean Martin and Rock Hudson. They're a little older than Bill and Glenn were. Rock Hudson is now a solid respectable citizen ranch owner, married to Susan Clark, and who also happens to be the sheriff.

Dino cleared out from the ranch they had and has been gone for two years so he doesn't know that Hudson is the new sheriff. Maybe he wouldn't have decided to rob that train with some very serious outlaw types. Unfortunately Dino was recognized and Hudson has to bring him in.

This turned out to be the last western film for both Dean Martin and Rock Hudson. Martin, starting with Rio Bravo in 1959, did a whole string of westerns of varying quality. But making them is hard work, a fact Dean discovered one day out in the desert heat making these films. The rest of his movies were done in modern dress.

Also for some reason two of the most agreeable stars to work with as attested to by numerous co-stars of both did not get along during the making of Showdown.

Yet this Damon and Pythias story is still good entertainment and nothing either Rock or Dean had any reason to be ashamed of.

Better than you'd think

[cheddavis-85503 · 7/10 · 10 September 2021]

It may not be an amazing script, but the couple great actors of Martin and Hudson make it well worth the watch. It's a decent western, even if there's no great "action" to speak of. You won't find any memes from it, and it's not even really blog-worthy beyond the hour and a half of relaxing tv watching. Both Martin and Hudson play their parts in an understated way, which makes it more believable.

There's enough chemestry between Rock and Dean that they're comfortable to watch. There is some subtle humor here and there, and the story doesn't offend. Personally I enjoyed it, if you like westerns and buddies on opposite sides you may like it too.

Martin's Jokes are as bad as the movie

[gkhege · 3/10 · 22 May 2019]

The carpet sweeper in the movie gives it all away. The guys are returning from the civil war. Carpet sweeper was invented in 1876. Like the carpet/rug sweeper, this movie just goes back and forth with flashbacks of the two main characters friendships from boys to men. No one would ever believe Martin or Hudson, could pass for tough guys, not even just pretending to be tough. It should have been filmed in black and white. Viewers focus more on the actors rather than the pretty scenery behind them. Being a cowboy movie buff, I have watched this movie ten time. It's better than taking a pill.

A Pleasant Waste of 100 Minutes

[inspectors71 · 10 April 2007]

The plot for Showdown is so ordinary that you might just find yourself asking why you picked this up in the video rental place. But there's enough star power on the first through third tiers that this 1973 oater can't be a complete waste of time.

I remember seeing the movie on NBC some thirty years or more ago. I'd never heard of it, it had interesting people, and how badly could it be butchered for television? It was only PG back then.

Showdown is one of those movies you should see just so you can say something like, "Hey, I saw this old western with Rock Hudson and Dean Martin, and it wasn't too bad." Of course, if your time is just too valuable, then skip it.

But it's a decent excuse to eat some popcorn.

Average Western with average actors, director, script and photography.

[adrianovasconcelos · 5/10 · 3 January 2020]

Not very much to remember about this film: Hudson's slap on Clark's lovely behind (can't have been easy for Hudson, he'd have preferred a male behind); Hudson getting shot in his behind but easily jumping around to fire shots; Martin's stale jokes; and a forest fire that costs Martin's horse's life before it is put out by the rain.

There is also a ludicrous attempt at making Martin and Hudson look like young friends.

The script is downright predictable and direction pedestrian.

Showdown

[dukeakasmudge · 5/10 · 9 December 2016]

*** Spoilers Ahead Maybe*** I loved how Showdown started off with the way Dean Martin robbed the train by posing as a sheriff & getting the passengers to give up their guns & valuables.I think it was very interesting & inventive.It was the 1st time I've seen it done in a Western & if it's been done before, I know nothing about it.I also liked the flashbacks that were shown throughout the movie.It gave off that buddy vibe & made you feel more for the characters.I enjoyed Showdown up until Dean Martin's character turned back during the pursuit to return to the ranch.This is where the movie fell off for me & I expected it to be all downhill from there.I just could not get into the ranch scene.Surprisingly after that, the movie picked up for me again & I was back into it.The end scene was a bit of a surprise & shocking but I think it was well done.I didn't know this was a Made For TV movie until I read it on IMDb.For a Made For TV movie, Showdown was pretty good & worth watching.In my opinion, it's most definitely worth watching at least once

Dean Martin as a tough cowboy! Say what?

[gkhege · 3/10 · 6 March 2019]

Dean Martin spends the entire movie being a stand up comic. Rock Hudson as a cowboy? Please, I know this movie is suppose to be a comedy but a twelve year old could tell these guys were B- actors. Maybe if they would have cut about half the one liners out... I could watch the whole thing.

A Sheriff Forced to Track Down and Arrest His Best Friend

[Uriah43 · 5/10 · 21 June 2023]

This film essentially begins with four bandits robbing a train in a remote part of New Mexico and escaping with some cash in a strongbox and jewelry taken from the passengers on board. Immediately after that, they subsequently ride off to designated point where they plan to divide up their stolen goods before heading off to safety in Mexico. Unfortunately, one of the outlaws named "Billy Massey" (Dean Martin) doesn't particularly care for the way the loot is being divided and decides to take all of it for himself--killing one of the men in the process. Meanwhile, as soon as the train arrives into the nearest town, the sheriff named "Chuck Jarvis" (Rock Hudson) is immediately informed and, after gathering some trackers from a nearby Indian camp, sets off in pursuit. The problem is that Chuck just happens to be Billy's best friend and as a result the people in town wonder if he will actually do what needs to be done to arrest him. So much so that some of the men even decide to form their own posse without his approval. Not only that, but the two outlaws who were robbed by Billy have also taken it upon themselves to track him down as well. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay Western for the most part with both Rock Hudson and Dean Martin putting in solid performances. The main problem I had with it concerned the repeated use of flashbacks which, in my opinion, tended to detract from the overall movie experience rather than add to it. Likewise, I didn't especially care for the ending either. Be that as it may, while certainly not a great film by any means, it still passed the time fairly well and I have rated it accordingly. Average.