THE LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER

US, 1981, 97 minutes, Colour.
Klinton Spilsbury, Michael Horse, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Clark, Juanin Clay.
Directed by William A. Fraker.

The Legend of the Lone Ranger is in the vein of late '70s-early '80s films highlighting popular comic characters of the past: Superman, Flash Gordon, Popeye. While it is a handsome production, the film is not in the same league. Visually, it re-creates the atmosphere of the old west and its heroic stories. However, the leading man, Klinton Spillsbury, lacks the personality for bringing the Lone Ranger across to the audience as a larger than life human her. However, he combats a larger than life villain played by Christopher Lloyd. Jason Robards enjoys himself as President Ulysses Grant. Silver is a strong and vigorous horse but Michael Horse as Tonto lacks the personality needed to match the Lone Ranger. Direction is by William. A. Fraker, photographer of many western films over some decades, and director of Monte Walsh and A Reflection Of Fear.

1. The popularity of the Lone Ranger - comic strip, television series? The western hero, the mask, the relationship with Tonto, 'Hi ho Silver'? The William Tell Overture musical signature?

2. Why a rebirth of the Lone Ranger in the '80s? The trend towards larger than life heroes? Confrontation between good and evil? A picture of society needing to be saved? The anonymous and chivalrous hero? Myth and legend? Heroes and nostalgia for heroes?

3. The treatment of the Lone Ranger as legend? The recitation of the legend throughout the film - lyrics, tone? The picture of the west, the familiar ingredients, the ordinary man becoming hero? The bonds between the white man and the red man? The background of the Civil War, civil disobedience? The presidency? The larger than life and romantic treatment?

4. The work of William Fraker - as a director and western photographer? The use of colour and Panavision, western locations, the town, the hideout, trains, explosions and stunt work?

5. The Lone Ranger and his personality? The adequacy of the lead actor? Tonto? Silver as the larger than life horse? The Lone Ranger in the heritage of the west, righting wrongs, experiencing violence, saving?

6. The prologue and the beginning of the legend? The story of John and the raiders, the death of his mother, being saved by the Indians, growing in the lifestyle of the Indians e.g. training to fight, sharing boyhood with Tonto, blood brothers? His father's taking him away? The medallion and the way that it was used? The binding of the two worlds? A basis for a western hero?

7. The transition to John Read as an adult? The stage coach ride? The cross section of people in the stage coach, making money in the west, the gambler, the Chinese, the heroine? The pursuit and its violence, the exhilaration of the chase, John saving the coach? The robbery and the introduction to the rebel paramilitary group?

8. The work of the Rangers, John's brother, the upholding of the law? Fighting the mad rebel? Stryker and his journalist campaign against the rebel? Amy and her friendship with John, the death of her father? The Rangers taking action, John going on the expedition, the betrayal and ambush, the slaughter? Violence and the need for justice?

9. John and his love for Amy? His wanting to avenge her father's death? His brother's death? Tonto and the chance rescue? The mutual saving of lives as Tonto was about to be hanged? The training of John in shooting, being ready for the mission against the rebels? Silver and the training of Silver?

10. The encounter with Collins in the town, his drinking, Tonto and the arrest after the murder?

11. The rebel leader (and the echoes of Apocalypse Now!)? His pride, obsession, role in the Civil War, military training of his men, ruthlessness? The luxury of his hideout? His plan for power? Guerrilla tactics? The confrontation of the president? His cruelty, the final shoot-out and his defeat?

12. Ulysses Grant and his military tradition? The build-up to his visit? The train ride? His friendship with Buffalo Bill, Custer etc.? The train carriage being separated? His capture? Being rescued by the Lone Ranger and his vigorous participation in the fight?

13. The atmosphere of heroics, on the train, saving the president? Stunt work and explosions?

14. The Lone Ranger as an individual hero, national hero. anonymous and self-sacrificing? The stuff of western legend?

15. The film's reliance on the popularity of westerns, their style and conventions, action, frontier life? 1980s theme of violence, racism, civil disobedience? The west as it might have been?