The logistics of "Cimarron" are exciting enough. At the time, it ranked second only to "Ben Hur" for the highest number of speaking roles, 368, in M-G-M's history. Its locations in south-eastern Arizona also involved the largest movement of M-G-M equipment and personnel ever undertaken in the United States.
Unfortunately, impressive statistics do not in themselves a gripping picture make. This film certainly scores in production values, but falls down badly in entertainment.
True, the action scenes are bravely and handsomely staged. But the film is not content merely to reproduce and perhaps go one better than the similar showdowns in the original "Cimarron:. It has attempted to refurbish the basic story in overblown detail. But the story itself was slight to begin with. And, let's face it, its two main characters are not all that colorful. Both Yancey and Sabra are little more than stereotypes. Despite his best efforts, Mr. Ford's charm wears pretty thin over 2¼ hours. As for Miss Schell, she is a long-suffering bore. Surprisingly, the original itself ran 131 minutes. But pacy playing and vigorous direction made short work of it all. In this remake on the other hand, thanks to overwritten dialogue, over-emotive acting from Miss Schell and lethargic direction in its domestic scenes, 136 minutes becomes very tedious sledding indeed.
Unfortunately, impressive statistics do not in themselves a gripping picture make. This film certainly scores in production values, but falls down badly in entertainment.
True, the action scenes are bravely and handsomely staged. But the film is not content merely to reproduce and perhaps go one better than the similar showdowns in the original "Cimarron:. It has attempted to refurbish the basic story in overblown detail. But the story itself was slight to begin with. And, let's face it, its two main characters are not all that colorful. Both Yancey and Sabra are little more than stereotypes. Despite his best efforts, Mr. Ford's charm wears pretty thin over 2¼ hours. As for Miss Schell, she is a long-suffering bore. Surprisingly, the original itself ran 131 minutes. But pacy playing and vigorous direction made short work of it all. In this remake on the other hand, thanks to overwritten dialogue, over-emotive acting from Miss Schell and lethargic direction in its domestic scenes, 136 minutes becomes very tedious sledding indeed.