Fun & Exciting Western. A Tribute to the Genre.
M. Fisher | Yukon, Oklahoma United States | 12/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the type of film they don't make anymore (sadly). A good, old-fashioned, western. Jim Brown's the stalwart, Fred Williamson's the charltan you don't know how he's going to turn, and Jim Kelly's the one who's tougher than both of them. To top it off, the old pro Lee Van Cleef is along for the ride, and he'd like to see all of them dead.
We also get to see seasoned vets Dana Andrews (albeit in a small, but pivotal, part), and Barry Sullivan. And Harry Carey, Jr., who's one of the most likable people in filmdom (I know. I've met him.) is memorable as a scuz.
To top it off, Jerry Goldsmith has one of his most memorable scores, and that's saying something. The music for TAKE A HARD RIDE is every bit as outstanding as Goldsmith's westerns such as 100 RIFLES, RIO CONCHOS, and BREAKHEART PASS.
A good actioneer, and a fun western."
Take a Hard Ride
R. Boone | 03/11/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of my favorite western movies. I have always liked Jim Brown's westerns. He was in great form in this one. Lee Van Clief was great as the bounty hunter. The surprise was Jim Kelly. Some of his best martial arts fight scenes are on this movie. This is the type on movie I can watch over and over again."
Go For The Gold
R. Webb | u.s.a. | 07/29/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Take A Hard Ride starring Jim Brown,Lee Van Cleef,Fred Williamson, and Jim Kelly, features alot of gunplay and action, going for the gold plot, Brown has the task of hauling a good size bankroll from one destination to another and everybody from every side of the county wants a piece of the action, including Van Cleef who plays a small part as an ruthless bounty hunter. Brown can't seem to figure out if Fred Williamson who plays a gambler is friend or foe and Jim Kelly co-star of "Enter The Dragon" is a mute bodyguard with some martial art skills. Also starring Catherine Spaak. Take A Hard Ride,delivers the goods,but something seems to be missing in this one, everything seems to get caught up in a whirlwind,good audio,video,Anchor Bay,16x9 widescreen."
Spaghetti Western Apocalypse
Stanley Runk | Camp North Pines | 04/03/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Take A Hard Ride may sound like a porno, but it's actually a spaghetti western-A good one too! A spaghetti western directed by "Anthony Dawson" (who in reality is Antonio Margheriti, who every man, woman and child knows directed the box office smash, CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE), and starring Lee Van Cleef, Jim Brown, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, and Jim Kelly. If that doesn't get the ol' mouth watering, I'm not sure what will.
The genre was on it's way out around this time, so the films had to try and push new angles if they were to survive. As you can see by the cast, this was an attempt to cross over the blaxploitation genre with the western genre. In the movie, Jim Brown has sworn to his dying business partner that he will take a large sum of gold to Mexico to his buddy's daughter. Soon, Brown finds himself the target of just about every bounty hunter, outlaw, blacksmith and shoemaker in the west. The most dangerous adversary is bounty hunter Lee Van Cleef, who gathers a small army to get Brown. How all these people found out about Brown's mission and the fact that he's carrying gold is a mystery. It's not like Brown went around town announcing what he intended to do. How the hell does everybody know what Brown is doing? Brown gets a small group of companions as well that include Fred Williamson, a sneaky gambler who carries snakes around with him. Jim Kelly(as a Native American!) and a prostitute chick also join the expedition. Basically it's a lot of chases and gunfights on the way to Mexico.
Not a bad movie, quite entertaining actually. Probably not for the average Baby Mama fan, but for goofballs like me."