THE RARE BREED

US, 1966, 97 minutes, Colour.
James Stewart, Maureen O’ Hara, Brian Keith, Juliet Mills, Jack Elam, David Brian, Ben Johnson.
Directed by Andrew V. Mc Laglan.

The Rare Breed is a pleasant western. Maureen O’ Hara portrays a widow bringing a prize bull from England to the United States, to Texas, to start a rare breed. When her husband dies, she enlists the help of a drifter – and sometimes tempted to be a conman – played by James Stewart. On arrival in Texas, she boards with Brian Keith and has to reform him into a gentleman. However, the romance is between Maureen O’ Hara and James Stewart. Juliet Mills makes an early appearance in American films. And regular John Ford veterans are present, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr.

The film was directed by Andrew V. Mc Laglen, veteran director of Gunsmoke as well as, at this time, westerns like Shenandoah, The Ballad of Josie and The Way West as well as Bandolero.

l. The success of this western? Its use of conventions, satisfying audience response?

2. The atmosphere of St. Louis in the 1890's, the town, auctions, hotels, train? The locations, cattle treks? Colour and widescreen?

3. The conventions of the cattle treks? The atmosphere of the auctions? cattle treks, double dealings?

4. The importance of the St Louis opening? Elsworth and his attaching himself to Martha and Hilary? Elsworth and his type? Contrast with Burnett and his work? Burnett is a rough man with his cattle? The contrast of the herefords with the longhorns? The auction of Vindicator? The beginning of the conflicts for the adventure of the film?

5. Audience interest in and sympathy with Martha and Hilary? Their English style and background? The trip out? Getting a deal for Vindicator, pride in the herefords even though they had no horns? Strong minded women and stubborn? clash with Elsworth? Their acompanying Vindicator?

6. The train trip and Martha, Hilary and her encounter with Burnett? Burnett and his double deals? The clashes in Dodge City, the fights, the plans for kidnapping the bulls, Martha and her vigorous way of riding horses? Burnett’s admiration for her?

7. The importance of the sequence of the stampede, Jamie being injured, the sidlings and his complete villainy and ruthlessness?

8. The arrival at Bowen’s place? His odd Scottish behaviour? And stubbornness? Attitude towards his son? His decision to marry Martha and his courting her? His change in appearance and character? The contrast with Burnett?

9. The importance of the development of the cross breeding of the longhorns with the herefords? The long winter and exposing Vindicator to the elments? The varying attitudes of the people concerned? Martha and Hillary and their pride? Bowen's scepticism? Burnett's change of heart and belief?

10. The importance of Burnett’s searching for Vindicator? The death of the bull, the calves and the future of the cross breeding?

11. The build up of the human issues? the marriage climax? Hilary and Jamie, Martha and Burnett?

12. Is this kind of western enjoyable for family audiences?