Click Here >> Watch/Download Angel and the Badman 1947 Online
The Angel and the Badman: A Film That Stands The Test Of Time
If there is one movie that you should watch over and over again, it would be “Angel and the Badman”. It is a classic western film that was released in 1947. The movie was directed by James Edward Grant, who also wrote the story. John Wayne starred in the movie alongside Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Irene Rich, Bruce Cabot and Lee Dixon.
The Storyline That Resonates With Everyone
The story of “Angel and the Badman” revolves around Quirt Evans (John Wayne), who is a notorious gunslinger with a bad reputation. He meets Penelope Worth (Gail Russel), a Quaker girl who saves his life after he is wounded in a gunfight.
Penelope’s kindness changes Quirt’s outlook on life, but he struggles to let go of his violent past. His old gang wants him dead while he tries to peacefully integrate into Penelope’s Quaker community.
“Angel and the Badman” showcases themes of redemption, forgiveness and love. It is an unusual western that offers depth beyond just cowboys vs Indians or outlaws vs lawmen.
The Casts Who Brought The Story To Life
The film’s cast was impressive, especially Gail Russell who played the lead role of Penelope Worth. She brought a sense of grace, innocence and compassion to her character that was unmatched.
John Wayne, on the other hand, portrayed Quirt Evans with his usual bravado. He showcased his acting range by going beyond his usual tough guy persona and displaying emotional depth.
The rest of the supporting cast did an excellent job as well. Lee Dixon played Randy McCall, Quirt’s former gang member and Bruce Cabot played Laredo Stevens, Quirt’s rival who wants to kill him.
The Popularity And Enduring Legacy Of The Movie
“Angel and the Badman” became a commercial success when it first came out in 1947. People loved the story, John Wayne’s performance and Gail Russell’s beauty.
The film had been remade several times over the years but none of them captured the magic that was present in the original movie.
It remains to be one of John Wayne’s most iconic performances. It solidified him as a leading man in Hollywood and cemented his legacy as an American cultural icon.
The Cinematography That Captured The Beauty Of The West
The film was shot in black and white, but that didn’t stop it from showcasing the beauty of the west. The cinematography was stunning, especially during the scene where Quirt takes Penelope on a horseback ride.
The wide sweeping landscapes and rocky hills of the west were captured beautifully by Archie Stout, who was famous for shooting most of John Wayne’s movies.
The Dialogue That Is Memorable And Timeless
“Angel and the Badman” has some of the most memorable lines in cinema history. One such line is “I’m not a gentleman, Miss Worth. I’m a gunfighter.” spoken by John Wayne’s character Quirt Evans.
Gail Russell’s character Penelope also had some great lines in the film like “I don’t believe that gunslinger talk. I think you’re just a plain man trying to be fancy.” or when she describes forgiveness as “That’s what our religion is – forgiveness.”
The Unforgettable Soundtrack
The music in “Angel and the Badman” was composed by Richard Hageman, who was known for his work in westerns. The soundtrack was memorable with its use of harmonicas and accordions that evoked images of the Wild West.
The most famous song from the film was the Quaker wedding waltz, which was later used in several other movies.
The Special Effects That Were Groundbreaking
“Angel and the Badman” was notable for its use of special effects. There’s a scene where John Wayne’s character Quirt Evans is shot and falls into a river. The camera follows him as he floats down the river, showing off some impressive water effects.
The scene may not seem like much by today’s standards, but back then it was groundbreaking.
The Scenes That Stand Out
The most iconic scene from “Angel and the Badman” is the Quaker wedding. It is a beautiful moment that showcases Penelope’s beliefs and how they have influenced Quirt.
The gunfight between Quirt Evans and Laredo Stevens also stands out as an intense moment that shows off John Wayne’s skills as an actor.
The Analysis Of The Film And Its Themes
“Angel and the Badman” is more than just a western movie. It explores themes of redemption, forgiveness and love, which are relevant to this day.
The movie showcases how a person can change for the better if one is shown kindness instead of violence. It also highlights how love and forgiveness can transform even the most violent person into someone capable of empathy.
The Gossip Around The Movie
During the making of the film, there were rumours that John Wayne had an affair with Gail Russell. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
What is known for sure was that Gail Russell had issues with alcoholism during filming. This affected her performance in some scenes, but she still managed to deliver an outstanding portrayal of Penelope Worth.
The Criticism That The Film Has Received
The movie has been criticized for its portrayal of Quakers as peaceful yet naive people. Some have also argued that the film may be borderline racist as it depicts Native Americans as savages without any depth.
However, the movie is a product of its time, and it has to be viewed with an understanding of the era in which it was made. It should not be judged harshly based on contemporary standards.
The Production That Made The Film Possible
The production of “Angel and the Badman” was relatively straightforward. It only took five weeks to film the entire movie.
The budget for the film was about $1 million, which was a modest amount even back then. However, the movie ended up earning almost three times that amount at the box office.
The Editing That Brought The Film Together
The editing in “Angel and the Badman” was done by Harry Keller, who did an excellent job of piecing together all of Archie Stout’s shots into a cohesive story.
The editing also helped heighten some moments like when Quirt goes sailing with Penelope. The scene is short but impactful as it showed how Quirt is trying to fit into Penelope’s world.
The Final Evaluation Of The Movie
Overall, “Angel and the Badman” is a classic western film that has stood the test of time. It may not have the same level of action or violence as other western movies, but it makes up for it with its strong themes and memorable performances.
The movie may not be perfect, and it does have some flaws, but it remains an essential piece of cinema history that should be watched by everyone who loves good storytelling.
The Enduring Legacy Of “Angel and the Badman”
“Angel and the Badman” may be an old film, but its themes are timeless. It has inspired several other movies over the years, including films like “The Quick And The Dead” (1995), which borrowed heavily from its story.
The movie has also been referenced in pop culture several times. For example, in an episode of “The Simpsons,” Homer watches a scene from “Angel and the Badman” after becoming obsessed with John Wayne.
“Angel and the Badman” is more than just a western movie; it is a part of American cultural history that should be treasured for generations to come.