WARLOCK
US, 1959, 122 minutes, Colour.
Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, Anthony Quinn, Dorothy Malone, Dolores Michaels, Wallace Ford.
Directed by Edward Dmytryk.
Warlock is an above average western. Its themes and treatments are fairly conventional but well done. It introduces the audience to many themes of the west, justice and good and evil. The strength of Warlock lies in its casting and the meeting of Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn and Richard Widmark. It was directed by Edward Dmytryk who at this time made The Young Lions and Raintree County.
1. Was this a good western? Which particular conventions of we-sterns did it employ? How well? Did it change any of the conventions? Audience expectations of the western and their fulfilment?
2. The film had good reviews. It was praised as being an intelligent western. Do you agree? Why?
3. The value of the colour photography, western locations, the strength of the stars? Their conventional appearances in films, especially Anthony Quinn?
4. The title and the focus of attention on the town, the town and the West? The initial abuse and riots in the town, the need for control, the citizens excusing themselves from participation, their fears, the hiring of the killers, the need for law and order? What picture of an American western town did the picture give? What insight into the towns of the west and their problems?
5. The exploration and the theme of justice, the sheriff and his abuse by criminals, the role of a deputy in a town, the need for gunslinger marshals, the need for law and order? The contrast between Blaisdell and Gannon? The two stances of justice, their resolution?
6. The significance of the frontiers of the west? The pioneers and the builders of towns, the west and the frontier and its effect on people and their character? The American heritage and the west?
7. The film's attitude to violence, shootings, bashings, the nature of fair fights? Indiscriminate violence?
8. How was Gannon the central character of the £film? His explanation of his bad days and participation in massacre, his relationship with his brother, his good side, his observation of what went on, his moving to participate in the life of the town, the response to challenge, his self-respect, his sense of justice, his relationship with his brother and his death, the love for Lily, Blaisdell's support of him? What did Gannon achieve through the film? How was it praised by the film?
9. How interesting a character was Blaisdell? His reputation, his explanation of his stance to the citizens, his courage, handling of the rough types, his arrogance, his capacity for violence? His influence in the town, despised by the deputies and the law and order people? The hold that Morgan had over him, how was he used? Why did he not realise this? His relationship with Lily? His wanting to help Gannon? The nature of his final decision riding away? What had Warlock done to Mm? The fact of Morgan's death?
10. The significance of Morgan? The cripple, self-assertive, his evil, gambling and arrogance, his using of people: his using of Lily and getting revenge on her, his sniping and killing, his arranging attacks and evil? The arrogance of his death?
11. The importance of Lily in the film? Her connection with the past, her relationship to Gannon, Morgan's victim?
12. Comment on the people in the town. Their support of Blaisdell, their support of Gannon? Jessie and her relationship with Blaisdell. saying that she was not as good as she appeared? How typical of the town was she? The judge and his criticism?
13. The picture of American society and community? Human nature? How intelligent a film was this?
