Wow! Such a good movie.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

It was over 20 years ago that I first saw Rustlers Rhapsody, being screened on late night TV to an audience of few it became in my house anyway, an instant classic.Sure, all of the jokes don't work, name me a film that is funny all the way through...but this gentle send up of the genre deserves a far better rating than it has.The premise is simple....how would a 40's Hollywood cowboy, admirably played straight and white hatted by Tom Beringer, fare in the real wild west, up against the evil cattle barons and landowners.From the early scenes in the saloon where we are introduced, sadly ephemerally to 'Blackie' and the rest of the main characters, Rustlers Rhapsody takes us on a gentle ride through western clichés where all characters are totally 2 dimensional and played to perfection by the ensemble cast.Memorable line for me was always Blackies famous uttering 'You look to me like one of them fellers thats attracted to other men' (paraphrased)Outstanding entertainment for a cold Saturday afternoon!

Having grown up watching the old Black and White westerns, early TV serials and a hundred Good Guys vs Bad Guy movies, this one was certainly a fantastic culmination. From first to last, one cannot help but split a rib while viewing it. Despite it featuring major star Tom Berenger as Rex O'Herlihan the real headliner should have been G.W.Bailey. Having watched him in dozens of movies where he is pretty much the heavy, this role was a surprising and refreshing change. In the hilarious film called " Rustler's Rhapsody " he not only is the narrator, he also plays the 'side-kick' Peter. Once you get into this western tale, you become privy to the change of story where "maybe all the bad guys weren't such cowards." Throughout the movie, one is treated to all the cliques of the past and some which create humor in their updated use. If you can identify with the early westerns, you are in for a real treat when you see the ending and a guest appearance by Patrick Wayne as Bob Barber. A remarkable movie in any case and one which definitely made the Classic's list. Andy Griffith and Fernando Rey also add panache to this great addition to our western lore. ****

This spoof of westerns ranks just behind Blazing Saddles for its send-up of the genre. Or at least it did before it got cut for video.There is a scene missing, and it is both funny AND plot critical.Rex (Tom Berenger) backs down from a duel with Bob Barber (Patrick Wayne) because, while Rex IS a heterosexual, he is not a CONFIDENT heterosexual (having never engaged in intercourse). How Rex goes about gaining his confidence is an hilarious bit, and comes into play when he rides back into town STANDING IN THE SADDLE (clearly confident). A later bit about how he is "improving" falls flat without this scene as well.Still, I recommend this film with little in the way of reservations. But if you can see the original theatrical release, you'll be seeing a funnier film.

I usually enjoy parodies, and this one is my absolute favorite. Tom Berenger shows a rare lighthearted side of himself as Rex O'Herlihan, The Singing Cowboy. Andy Griffith is the best I've ever seen him as Colonel Ticonderoga, the gay cattle baron. Sela Ward (the Colonel's daughter) and Marilu Henner (Miss Tracey, the town prostitute) are both entertaining and easy on the eyes. G.W. Bailey gives a hilarious performance as Peter, the town drunk turned overeager sidekick.The humor is more subtle than the slapstick of "Blazing Saddles," which seems to be the only Western parody that most people have seen. Personally, I greatly prefer "Rustler's Rhapsody." Some of my favorite movie quotes come from this movie. I've seen it at least a dozen times and it never fails to make me laugh out loud.Thankfully I now own a copy of the DVD, as my videotape has been watched so often that it's wearing out.