Der Mann aus Kentucky (1955)
7KDer Mann aus Kentucky: Directed by Burt Lancaster. With Burt Lancaster, Dianne Foster, Diana Lynn, Walter Matthau. A Kentucky widower bound for 1820’s Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.
“I think one of the worst problems with American films from the 1930s-1950s is that way too many Westerns were made. Part of the problem that plot-wise, most are very, very derivative–with the same basic plot being rehashed yet again (if I see one more Western about rich guy who runs the town and is trying to force all the farmers/ranchers/sheep herders to sell out to him, Iu0026#39;m gonna puke). Because of this, I love films that talk about American history that are unusual–not Westerns or war films–just something different. This film is about life u0026#39;out westu0026#39; (in the Tennessee area) circa 1820–a period WAAAY underrepresented in American films…heck, itu0026#39;s hardly ever even mentioned! So, from the onset, I was pretty happy about the setting of this film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBurt Lancaster plays an outdoorsman–sort of a Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone sort of fellow. The main difference is that he also has a young son AND doesnu0026#39;t want to abandon him (Crockett and Boone should have taken note NOT to do this). The problem, however, is money. He and his son love the carefree outdoor life–but it takes money to get to this promised land. In the meantime, the two are forced to hang around civilization (at least what approximated it out on the frontier). Here in town, Lancasteru0026#39;s brother (played by John McIntyre–a guy who looked nothing like Burt and seemed too old for the part) pushed for him to go into business with him–and get rid of his buckskin clothes and settle down. In addition, two women wanted him–the school teacher (who represented domesticity) and the indentured servant (who believed in his dream). What will happen? Will Burt and son become domesticated and civilized or will they eventually make it to the wide open lands of Texas? Overall, this is not one of Burt Lancasteru0026#39;s best acting performances. Heu0026#39;s good–but also pretty unremarkable. But, the film is different and reasonably well made–and itu0026#39;s hard to dismiss it. A nice film, at least from a history teacheru0026#39;s perspective, and well worth seeing.”
