LAWMAN

US, 1970, 92 minutes, Colour.
Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Duvall, Sheree North, Joseph Wiseman, J. D. Cannon, Albert Salmi.
Directed by Michael Winner.

Lawman was an underrated film when first released, seen merely as just a minor, Burt Lancaster Western. However, it is a very competently made Western, raising serious issues about law and order and responsibility. The film is hard and probably reflects many of the realities of the West in a fairly accurate way. Burt Lancaster plays the Marshall from a town where a killing has taken place, caused by the roistering of the local cattle baron's men. Lancaster confronts the baron, his sheriff - an older successful gunfighter, and the men he considers responsible for the death. Director is English Michael Winner, whose successes include The Jokers (1966) and I'll Never Forget What's 'is Name (1970). His Western is well worth seeing and discussing. Later films include the Western Chato's Land, The Mechanic, The Nightcomers, Death Wish, Scorpio, The Sentinel.

1. How did the title indicate the theme of the film?

2. How did the fights. destruction and killing indicate the theme of the film?

3. What kind of man was Maddox? Why did he stand for the law? Why did he respect it and try to uphold it and apply it at all costs? Was he a good man? An admirable man. a conscientious man? How did the film communicate this?

4. Was there anything personal in Maddox's living out and applying the law? How emotional a man was he? How much of an individualist? How conscious of his responsibilities to his townspeople was he? was he respected for this?

5. How did he contrast with Marshall Ryan? Was Ryan a good man? Why had he gone downhill? Why did he allow himself to be a paid man? Did he respect Maddox? Why did he try to mediate and why did he then side with Maddox?

6. What kind of men were the Bronsons? How malicious were they, how ambitious. how lacking in respect for the others' rights? How irresponsible? How did the film show the feelings and ambitions of Bronson? Did he see that the old days of guns and impulsive violence were over? Did he put too much faith in power and the capacity of buying people? What changed him back into a man of violence?

7. How did the reactions of the different minor characters make comment on the theme of law and justice: - Harvey - his friendship with Bronson. his anger and attempt to shoot Maddox in the street; - Crowe - a quick shooter. but young in his estimates of men and trying to cope with understanding them; - Dekker - who tried to shoot Maddox in the back; - Adams - and his not wanting to be away from his farm,. his fearlessness.. his shooting and trying to escape; - Price - his fear. How did the early consultation scene with Bronson about how they should react to the lawman illustrate the various angles on law. justice and responsibility, punishment?

8. Was Laura brought into the film in a contrived way? How did her pleading for right. her giving the gun to Adams and her love for Price throw light on Maddox's character?

9. What comment did the changing attitudes of the citizens have on law and justice, especially Maddox, and Maddox's reaction to them?

10. Why did Bronson kill himself at the end? How had his world been destroyed?

11. Did Maddox have to kill all of the men, especially Price as he ran away? Why?

12. What role did Lucas play in the film - his past encounters with Maddox and his decision to help him. especially in the shooting of Luther Harris?

13. What was the basis for law in the film? Was law simply equated with justice? Was this a cruel film? was it a thoughtful film?

14. Was this an enjoyable Western? Why?