Good movie but grossly overrated

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Directed by Stanley Kramer (The Defiant Ones), Oklahoma Crude boasts of a great cast featuring Faye Dunaway, George.C.Scott and Jack Palance.It is about a woman, her father and a hobo who try to extract oil while fighting off evil oil companies who are trying to take over the land. The film begins with a long establishing shot of an oil derrick, with Faye Dunaway's character hard at work. The film is upto its neck with long shots of these grand vistas. The long shots are simply amazing and beautiful to look at despite the arid landscapes.Faye Dunaway's character is a tough and driven woman who would get at the oil, whatever it takes. She looks beautiful despite the tough demeanor. Her character reminded me of Henry Stamper (played by Henry Fonda) in Sometimes a Great Notion. George.C. Scott plays second fiddle to Faye Dunaway. But he is such a terrific actor that he holds his own. He is well known for playing tough authoritarian characters like Patton, the cunning attorney in Anatomy of a Murder or the strict conservative father in Hard Core or the ruthless gambler in Hustler. The scenes where Dunaway and Scott face off are terrific. They are very well written and contain some witty and intelligent dialog.There is a great musical score by Henry Mancini – the title score is rollicking. Send a little love my way is a wonderful melodious song and variations of it including instrumental versions are played throughout the film. The score also includes a this hazy tune used when Scott's character walks into the enemy camp and steals food and drink. The score is what attracted me to the film.The film is mostly a light hearted comedy with a few serious elements and action scenes. The final scene is really interesting with a Butch Cassidy like freeze frame suggesting many outcomes in the relationship between Dunaway and Scott.It is a nice comedic Western that is seriously underrated. It has a 6.3 rating on IMDb and deserves a 7 at least. It deserves to be more well known for the star cast and the score.

George C. Scott, Faye Dunaway, John Mills and Jack Palance (all Oscar winners) star in this comedy set in Oklahoma. It feels like a precursor to Daniel Day-Lewis' There Will Be Blood, in that the commodity's oil. Who's got it is keeping it, despite the fact there are those who will do whatever they have to to take it from them. Faye is John's daughter and, when John goes to hire hands to help Jane guard her oil rig, George C. Scott is hired. Once there, he finds out that Jane is cantankerous and quite an obstinate and independent person. She refuses to give an inch on any subject or let her guard down long enough to trust anyone. In fact, when the subject of the battle of the sexes (being a man versus a woman in the world) comes up, I got one of the biggest laughs I've ever had from a movie, from her severe and hardened disposition and attitude and the lack of the need for anyone in her world and George C. Scott's reaction to it. Jack Palance is the greedy opportunist who wants her oil and will try all he can to steal it from her. If you get a chance to see this wild and outrageous film, don't turn the channel. Watch and enjoy. It's an experience you're not likely to forget.

Amusing film by the great producer and director Stanley Krmer , including an attractive and interesting screenplay written by Marc Norman . It's oil boom time in Oklahoma and Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway) , a man-hating , strong-willed woman has a struggle on her hands : the big oil companies don't appeal the fact that she's working a potentially profitable oil well . Reluctantly, Lena has to accept the aid of her estranged father Cleon (John Mills) , and Mason (George C. Scott) , the man he contacts to help . The three form an unlikely alliance against the oil trusts that are represented by a nasty ex-general (Jack Palance) and his big guys (William Lucking , Cliff Osmond) . But together are determined to defend the lone wildcat rig , as the good guys contend the bad guys and put up a terrific facing .This is a wild raunchy rip-roaring yarn , an agreeable picture that has comedy , fights , shootouts , mildly enjoyable situations , nonthinking amusement and likable performances . Enjoyable acting by Faye Dunaway and Geoge C. Scott , both of whom steal the show , she as a hard-bitten, stubborn feminist and he as an obstinate drifter . Enjoyable relationship among three protagonists : Lena hates men , Mason stunningly played by George C. Scott , giving a brilliantly comic acting , he is out for himself , and Lena's father wonderfully acted by John Mills is attempting to make up for a lifetime of neglecting his daughter . Furthermore , a good support cast as Harvey Jason , William Lucking , Cliff Osmond and special mention to Jack Palance playing an unforgettable villain . Colorful cinematography in Panavision filmed on location in Ospital Ranch, Stockton, California, USA , being compellingly photographed by Robert Surtees , an excellent cameraman expert on superproductions as Ben Hur , Quo Vadis , Cimarron , King Solomon's Mines , among others . Atmospheric and lively musical score by Henry Mancini , Blake Edwards' usual .This old-fashioned motion picture was well produced and directed by Stanley Kramer . He directed 14 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances .He was a notorious producer and director who gave big successes . Kramer formed his own production company in 1947, in conjunction with Carl Foreman .He had a reputation for being frugal, working well within his budgetary limitations . Many of his films reflected social or political concerns and were often controversial . Stanley was consequently tagged as a "message film maker" and "Hollywood's Conscience" . Among his most popular films are : The pride and the Passion¨, ¨On the beach¨, ¨¨ Judgment at Nuremberg¨, ¨Ship of fools¨, ¨World is mad , mad ,mad¨ and ¨Guess Who's Coming to Dinner¨ . However , ¨Oklahoma crude¨ resulted to be a flop at box office though nowadays is well considered . rating : Above average . Worthwhile watching .

A strange, downbeat western that is just simply dull at times, it nevertheless has a few amusing moments and exciting bits in the mix. George C. Scott does quite a decent job with a charismatic, interesting character, yet all the characters come off as cold and hard to like, particularly the feminist played by Dunaway, who is only angry for most of the time. What occurs between the characters is pretty easy to predict, as is most of the plot, despite its unusualness. Henry Mancini's bouncing score is perhaps the film's strongest point. His music is fitted in a bit awkwardly at times, but it generally provides a western feel quite well. While I cannot think of a large number of reasons to recommend this film, Kramer does not do too poor a job with the material, so perhaps the film is worth a look.