Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Simply A Masterpiece

Brilliant and touching

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

RELEASED IN 1947 and written & directed by James Edward Grant, "Angel and the Badman" is a Western starring John Wayne as a gunslinger in Arizona who finds temporary sanctuary with some pacifistic Quakers. And maybe love too with the beautiful daughter (Gail Russell). Bruce Cabot plays the gunman's nemesis while Harry Carey plays the aged-but-still-formidable marshal. It's too bad that this was shot in B&W because the locations are spectacular. Wayne was facing his 40th birthday when this was filmed, which is funny because the daughter's mother (Irene Rich) keeps referring to how "young" he is. In any case, John was lean and relatively youthful-looking. On the other side of the spectrum, Gail is utterly stunning with her captivating eyes. Speaking of the feminine cast, saloon girls Joan Barton and Rosemary Bertrand are nothing to sneeze at. One problem is that the romance is too blatant and develops way too quickly. But there are a few praiseworthy action sequences. One notable scene involves a couple in a wagon going off a cliff into a body of water. The subtext relays three philosophies on violence: (1.) living it as a lifestyle, (2.) resorting to violence only when justifiable and more peaceful ways have been attempted or (3.) relying completely on nonviolent methods. Needless to say, the middle position is the best one and is, in fact, what the New Testament supports. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hours & 40 minutes and was shot entirely in Arizona (Sedona, Monument Valley & Flagstaff). GRADE: B-

Gail Russell is the only part of this movie worth viewing. Her role is the only thing to salvage it from utter boredom. The story is somewhat okay; but the directing, dialog, sets, camera work, background music, film editing, screenplay, and costumes are all mediocre. John Wayne's acting performance, like most of the remaining cast, is unconvincing to downright hammy. Words that describe this film production: unprofessional, phony, corny. Not once did this movie make me feel as if I were in the old west, among gunfighters, on a Quaker farmstead, in an 1800's church meeting, or a saloon. Instead, the whole time I felt like I was on the movie set of a B-western. We all know that the Duke matured into a professional actor later in his life. But in his early and middle career, his performance depended a great deal on the quality of direction, production staff, script, and supporting actors, as this movie attests. On the other hand, Gail Russell's acting performance and beauty prove what natural talent and star potential she had. It's such a tragedy that she suffered the emotional and alcohol abuse problems that ruined her life and career, and cut them both so tragically short.

. . . in the Election Year of 2016, though ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is so ancient that not only is most of the cast deceased, but the vast majority of its original movie theater audiences, as well. While some Presidential Primary voters may misread this title as ANGEL VERSUS BADMAN (predicting a Hillary vs. Trump contest), this John Wayne flick actually is eerily accurate in outlining the main features of the on-going Water Crisis in Flint, MI. Playing the part of businessman-turned-governor is "Frederick Carson," who shuts off the Poor People's access to Fresh Mountain Stream Water, forcing them to drink from lead-contaminated wells. Rather than backing Carson as his long-standing adherence to Rich People Party Principles in Real Life would require, John Wayne's "Quirt" (rhymes with "squirt") talks Carson into a less lucrative policy of sharing Unpoisoned Water with the normal people. As if this weren't far-fetched enough for one flick, Quirt then gives up his six-shooter (like Montgomery Clift at the end of RED RIVER). Probably the vast majority of folks seeing this in the theaters expected Wayne to shout out "Just kidding, folks!" before the lights came up. It's as if Darth Vader has resigned his position to open a Petting Zoo.

This film is an absolute masterpiece, and one of John Wayne's best. What people who have reviewed the film, have overlooked is the why behind the relationship behind Quirt Evans (Wayne), and Penelope Worth (Gail Russell), which is essentially she was a woman who was essentially put on Earth by God for Quirt, and vice versa. Without Penelope, he would have been doomed, either from the wounds he received prior to meeting her, or by McClintock (Harry Carey), or by some other means. There was a reviewer who said "She threw herself at Quirk.", which was really not true. She was a woman of tremendous faith and devotion, and thus knew that she and Quirt had been put together for a reason,by a higher authority. So that even when he left, she knew he would return, and in the most pivotal scene of the film (Spoilers ahead) where her after she almost dies, and gets a fever, a miracle occurs, and it goes away (Which Dr. Mangram (Tom Powers) acknowledges) and has her father take her to him, and was able prevent the showdown between Quirt and Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) where MCClintock would have killed Quirt. Quirt essentially knew the same thing, because he got tired of the wild life and came back to her. Finally, he was willing to give up his guns and become a farmer for Penelope. The simple reason is Quirt & Penelope were supposed to be together, and they would do whatever was necessary to remain together.