Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The Villain (1979)

The Villain is quite a strange film. It is a comedy western full of capers, more like a live action version of a Road Runner cartoon, with the "Coyote" in the shape of Cactus Jack (Kirk Douglas) trying to stop the "roadrunner" (Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ann-Margret) with a series of increasingly deranged and hopeless ambushes.

There is a plot, evil schemes concocted by Jack Elam involving bank loans and seizing a mine, but these seem rather incidental as the failed ambushes continue. The film is very silly and completely unrealistic, Cactus Jack somehow avoiding injuries despite his various accidents. His performing horse Whisky also does a good role. However once you treat the film as intended then it works.

As well as the wacky action the film has some good lines and goofy humour. Look out for Mel Tillis as a telegraph operator who tricks Arnie out of his steak!