Very disappointing...

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

I first watched NEVADA SMITH in the early 80s. My father had spoken highly of it, but I did not like it. At the time, I found McQueen unbelievable as an Indian, and the whole story quite predictable. Much against my will, last Sunday I rewatched it. I had nothing to do, nothing else that seemed worthwhile on TV, and I decided to give it a second chance. I am happy I did, because this time I found the film much better. Still had some difficulty accepting a blond Indian but this time I found McQueen's performance quite acceptable and even credible. Keith, Malden, Kennedy and, above all, Landau and Vallone, all deliver high standard performances.Henry Hathaway's direction is as good as ever. Photography is a bit shabby, but acceptable. What I found much better this time was the script. Yes, Max Sand is predictable in the sense that the thought of revenge blinds him to all other possibilities, but in going on that quest he also goes on a journey of self-, and other, discovery. He begins as a greenhorn who has no idea what to do with weapons, let alone how to kill. Fate is kind to him in the shape of Brian Keith, who teaches him the basics. At the prison camp, he learns from those he meets, especially from Pilar (played by Pleshette), the first one to convince him of the evils of revenge. Perhaps the greatest lesson comes from the priest (great performance from Raf Vallone), who tells him of how he could have embarked on a similar quest, but did not. In the end, Max Sand finishes his revenge assignment without actually putting to death the main villain, and by movie's end he seems to be moving on to a different spiritual level.Inevitably, the question I put to myself was: What if my family were murdered? What would I do if I could track down the killers? Could I live with myself if I did not exact revenge, thereby honoring my loved ones? I am a Catholic, I believe in forgiving, but I hope I am never put in the same position as Max Sand.Ultimately, NEVADA SMITH does not endorse revenge, but its message is one taking fate into your hands - for better or worse.

Who doesn't like a good western? Here is one and it has it all. Good scenery, acting, story-line, directing and memorable scenes which means in the movie industry it is a must see picture over and over again. Me? I have seen this at least 10 times and will see it another ten to be sure. Westerns have to have guns, horses, adventure, hard men, sheriffs, towns and a women or two. Add any story you want and the wild west is upon you. This movie shows the bad natures or desperado's and how they live and why and pay attention in the beginning when Jonas Cord explains to young, naive Max Sand what kind of men he will be up against as he begins a journey to avenge a death. Very accurate description of the men of the west and the plot of the movie lives up to it as well. Furthermore, it is interesting to watch the lead actor Steve go from young and innocent to whatever it takes to carry out the closure of getting even. Look for the nice, realistic portrayal of a priest and you get the sense after getting to know him that he has been truly called and he speaks his calling fluently too. He has a few choice words for Max. You see, Max Sand is driven by the conflict within himself. We see it develop, act out, come and go and we wonder, can a man come back from the brink? if so, what type of man will he be? The movie will take you to the answer.Good snack or meal movie here plus a tasty drink too. Memorable music score and plenty dust to go around. Everyone looks like they are enjoying riding those quality horses too. They just don't make them like this anymore. Enjoy

"Max Sand" (Steve McQueen) is getting water from a creek 3 miles from his home when 3 drifters ride up and ask him if he knows a man named "Sam Sand" (Gene Evans). He tells them that Sam is his father and they ask him where he lives. Not suspecting anything out of the ordinary he tells them. They head out in that direction but then all of a sudden chase his horse away and then gallop towards his home. By the time Max finally gathers his horse and gets back to his home his father and Kiowa mother have been tortured and killed. Even though he's young and inexperienced he swears revenge and rides off after them. Anyway, while not necessarily a blockbuster film, it does have some interesting scenes and a host of good actors and actresses. And although I didn't especially care for the ending, I did enjoy the performances of Brian Keith (as "Jonas Cord"), Karl Malden ("Tom Fitch") and Suzanne Pleshette ("Pilar"). In short, this is a decent western and I recommend it for those who enjoy this genre.

Fabulous western the way they used to make them and the way they should be made currently.Looking to avenge the killers of his parents, his mother was an Indian, the film traces the adventures of Max Sand (Steve McQueen) in hunting out and killing his prey.From a young Indian boy, Max becomes a hardened killer along the way. He even purposely gets caught robbing a bank so that he can be sent to the same prison where killer Arthur Kennedy has been sent.Suzanne Pleshette briefly but memorably appears as a woman inmate who helps Max and Kennedy escape before Max guns the latter down.While being rescued by priest Raf Vallone, Max learns humility but is still determined to hunt out and kill the worst of the offenders, Karl Malden, excellent here as well.The film teaches humility as Max, who has changed his name to Nevada Smith to fool Malden, develops a conscience through bible reading. Though maiming Malden, he doesn't ultimately kill him.A tale of bitterness and ultimate redemption fully realized, this is one film not to miss.