I’ve no idea how close to or far from historical truth Fuller sticks in this tale of James Addison Reavis’ scheme to con the entire Arizona territory out of the U.S. government, but in Fuller’s hands Reavis not only almost gets away with it but it’s played out as a great yarn, stretching over years — even a couple spent in a Spanish monastery, followed by encounters with gypsy queens and bored countesses — and immeasurably helped by a rich, suitably theatrical performance from Vincent Price. The low (but, I guess, not too low) budget doesn’t seem to limit Fuller’s expressiveness in the way you get in I Shot Jesse James – there’s a suitably shadowy, expressionist attempted lynching scene; and another scene where Reavis deals with two locals come to threaten him in his office is a forceful portrayal – in one single medium shot – of coiled violence suddenly unleashed, brilliant in its economy.
by Ian Johnston | Source: Eclipse Series 5 DVD
09 Oct 2007 1:23 PM | Submit Comment
