A stern lawman, portrayed by Burt Lancaster, rides into Sabbath with the intention of arresting cattlemen who were involved in an accidental death during a celebration that occurred while they were traveling through his jurisdiction. Upon arrival, he encounters opposition from nearly everyone because those responsible are employed by a powerful cattle baron (Lee J. Cobb), effectively controlling both the town and its sheriff (Robert Ryan). Sheree North appears as someone he once knew romantically, and Robert Duvall, Robert Jordan, Albert Salmi, and Ralph Waite fill out the cast as the cattlemen. "Lawman," released in 1971, examines themes of law and justice within a Western setting, prompting viewers to take a position on the central conflict. The era of the Wild West is ending, replaced by a society where legal repercussions exist for careless actions leading to death. The townspeople desire to ignore the incident and have everyone compensated by the wealthy baron. However, Maddox (Lancaster) isn't motivated by money; he’s driven by his sense of duty and a pursuit of justice. The storyline shares similarities with “Man with the Gun” (1955) and "Last Train from Gun Hill" (1959), but it adopts an atmosphere reminiscent of more modern Westerns like “Firecreek” (1968) and “Valdez is Coming” (1971). Although largely confined to the town, the film incorporates several scenes showcasing the impressive scenery of the Southwest wilderness, including a pleasant sequence featuring a waterfall. Combined with the excellent acting and its significant themes, this makes "Lawman" a memorable, lesser-known film. I definitely support Maddox because those who cause trouble must face consequences, irrespective of who employs them. The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 39 minutes and was filmed in Durango, Mexico, as well as surrounding areas including Sierra de Organos, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, and three locations in Sonora. GRADE: A-

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