The Hunting Party is a 1971 movie directed by Don Medford.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A rancher hunts down the men who kidnapped his wife using long-range rifles.
ONE LINE REVIEW
The Hunting Party features a superb cast of actors but the true star of the movie are a collection of long-range rifles.
THE ACTORS
The impressive cast is highlighted by Gene Hackman’s impossibly callous and vicious Brandt. His hunting trip is interrupted by his wife’s kidnapping – which leads to Reed’s crew of bandits becoming human prey. Hackman is dangerous and vile in his treatment of women – associating his wife with property. It’s a cold, cruel role and Hackman delivers.
Reed’s presence is felt throughout the movie, although physically he appears miscast as outlaw Frank Calder. His role suggests a tenderness but is lost in a series of disjointed scenes. Similarly, Candice Bergen’s Melissa is a confusing role. While she expertly conveys her character’s anger and grief, the motives are never clear.
THE DIRECTOR
Medford shoots a clean, traditional Western with precise, effective action scenes. However, the tone shifts throughout the movie become distracting – especially when Bergen’s character is assaulted, then later is found frolicking in a bizarre scene involving a jar of peaches.
THE BEST – The Rifles
The true stars of the movie, Brandt’s specially-crafted long range rifles are literal death machines. Calder’s men are annihilated by these devices – which conveniently enough allow for precise shooting despite the obvious physics complications that surely must arise.
THE BEST Part 2 – Reed’s Selling
The skilled Reed is a bit lost as Calder. Physically, he simply doesn’t exemplify the character, while the rest of his motivations aren’t enough to flesh out the role. Yet, when given the opportunity to sell a bullet wound, Reed’s dramatic flopping shines.
THE WORST – Melissa’s Character Arc
Barely 35 minutes into the movie, there are three sexual assault attempts made on Bergen’s Melissa. Yet, she relents once she gets some peaches from Reed’s Calder – who is of course assaulted her earlier. She then teaches Calder how to read – which is presumably why he kidnapped her in the first place. Finally, she falls for Calder – turning on her husband Brandt, who is essentially hunting her down.
THE WORST Part 2 – Hackman’s Character Around Women
Hackman conveys a sense of evil as Brandt, yet these touches are exaggerated when he’s in the company of women. He is cruel to Melissa and borderline sadistic towards a hired prostitute.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.5/5
The Hunting Party is an intriguing and original Western concept, yet loses steam as the movie progresses. The tone shifts are awkward and the characters don’t make much sense. However, Hackman delivers a uniquely evil performance which is worth watching.
