W2TCH

Billy Two Hats (1974)

1974 • 1h 39m • Western • PG
On September 23, 2026
#20812▲ 239
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CinemaSerf on Billy Two Hats

7/10 · Sep 22, 2023

This western feels somewhat fragmented, and you’ll need to overlook Gregory Peck’s unusual Scottish brogue at the start, but beyond that, it tells its story reasonably well with everyone giving a decent performance. Jack Warden is particularly memorable as the sheriff ("Gifford") tracking "Archie" (Peck) and his mixed-race companion "Billy" (Desi Arnaz Jr.) after they robbed a place where someone – unintentionally – lost their life. The film centers on this pursuit, but it’s not portrayed in a standard way. The advantage often changes between the hunters and those being chased; there are some impressively outfitted and threatening Apache warriors out for whisky who find their way to the rather corrupt homesteader "Spence" (John Pearce) and his young wife "Esther" (Sian Barbara Allen), where there’s even a small romantic subplot for the younger man. There's a noticeable theme of prejudice present throughout. The main character’s background leads to hostility from many, particularly “Cope” (David Huddlestone), who manages a distant trading post with his wife (Dawn Little Sky), whom he seems to treat poorly. In fact, even the film’s name hints at a hypocrisy that's made very obvious in the story. There's some skillful marksmanship from afar, plenty of lighthearted and clever conversation, and while not showcasing his finest work, the lead actor possesses a grumpy charm that keeps the other characters grounded. I wasn’t familiar with this film until I saw it at the cinema yesterday, and I genuinely found it to be quite enjoyable.

Source on TMDB