Customer Reviews

The Legend of the Lone Ranger [Region 1]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Granted, this film could have received better treatment if Clayton Moore had been treated a little better. Now that he has passed, let's look at it from another perspective. It actually was a better than average flick. Spilsbury's acting was a little amateurish. Over-dubbing his voice really showed a lack of confidence in his abilities. It's time to release it on DVD so a new generation can express their opinions.

This Movie is available on DVD Region 2 in Europe. How unAmerican! It's time to bring him home.
I saw this movie several times when on first run, back when the nearst 1st run house was 45 miles away. People cheered when he first wore the mask and "that" song came through the speakers, laughed at President Grant's threat to Col Custer to send him to Montana, marveled at Christopher Lloyd's villain Cavindish and Michael Horse's dignified Tonto.
After seeing the movie I saw the televised review by two "Windy City" reviewers and was amazed at the inaccuracy of their description of several scenes. It made me wonder if they'd bothered to watch the film.
Some have even described it as "Hoaky", if dignity, devotion, and duty are hoaky we need more hoaky. This film is one you can enjoy with your parents or your grandchildren and it's time for it to be available on DVD inn the USA.

There are few movies that come to mind that receive such a bashing as this one. The musical score/narration is almost painfully campy and some of the dialog is as wooden as the delivery by the actors. However, there is still a great deal to enjoy in this film. Some film characters are icons that simply must be experienced by a child and the Lone Ranger is one of them. Klinton Spilsbury is no Clayton Moore, but who could be? Clayton Moore IS the Lone Ranger as much as Basil Rathbone IS Sherlock Holmes. When one thinks of the Lone Ranger, who comes to mind except Moore and Jay Silverheels as Tonto? Who can live up to an icon like that? Anyway, Spilsbury and Michael Horse do the best they can, but unfortunately this film was received so badly, it probably killed any chance of a new Ranger film ever being made again. With the classic Clayton Moore adventures all but impossible to come by (AND THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED!) in watchable condition, this is an enjoyable and (for now) available addition to the Ranger's screen adventures.

I am so very "fond" of this movie ! I was seven when I first saw The Legend of the Lone Ranger. Me and my brother watched it over and over and over again, we never got tired of it. Thus the entire aspect of the movie, especially the soundtrack and narration stir up pleasant memories of my childhood, sounds strange I know but because we'd get it out every so often from the video club, until I was about ten, I grew to know it so well.

I won't bother to explain what the movie is about because the other reviewers have done that already but I'd like to add that this is more of a children's movie than an adults movie, adults can certainly enjoy it too but that depends on weather or not adults want to put away their cynical side for the duration of the movie.

I saw the Lone Ranger as an adult a decade later on TV, when I was in University far away from home and I really had to smile, it was comforting in a way to see and hear the story especially the beautiful scene where the Lone Ranger tames Silver. This movie got trashed by critics but SO WHAT. I have watched some so called Oscar worthy stuff and thought to myself :"What utter nonsensical garbage "

This is a movie that I know I can let my children watch one day. I was at such an impressionable age at the time that I watched this movie it single-handedly instilled alot of respect in me for the Native American people. That's a very worthy achievement.

I've heard highly negative comments about this movie for years, but I saw it recently and adored it! It's 'corny', but that's the beauty of it. I just had to own this. I just wish it were on DVD instead of only on tape. I'm a true Lone Ranger, Western, and Superhero fan. I have no qualms about putting this movie next to my other Ranger videos starring Clayton Moore, Bob Livingston, and John Hart. The Legend of the Lone Ranger isn't perfect, but none of my favorite films or heroes are. There are moments in this movie that really thrilled the kid in me and I found them very touching. That may sound 'corny', but it's true. I'd love to own this on DVD. Anchor Bay would be the perfect company to put out a special edition of this film on DVD.

Just as the other reviewers have said, I watched this movie first when I was 12. And I was so moved and touched by the beautiful scenery, romantic and heart-thrilling music, and especially the image of Tonto (Michael Horse), through which I know there is a nation called Indian and immediately I have develped a respect for such a noble race. From then on I began to search what is the name of the theme music and then I know it was Rossini's William Tell Overture, and thus I developed a passion for classic music. Inspired by Tonto, I began to bury myself into books at libraries to find information about Native Americans, till this day when I am 29. I careflly kept the movie introduction cut from newspapers, the cinema tickets and posters collected from my classmates and everything related with this movie. Also inspired by Tonto, I choose English as my major at University and my graduation thesis in about the Native American image in westerns. I am never, never tired of watching this movie which I have watched again and again and again, and each time I was deeply touched again and again. I fill so lucky that after so many years I find somebody speaking the same language with me here (for so many years I have not found a person with the same feeling about this movie with me arround), and I do thank Michael Horse who have so successfully interpreted Tonto. From 12 years old till today, when I was lacking of confidence, when I felt upset, I am thinking of him, praying to get power and stability, and I do get them. I cannot imagine what my life would have be without knowing Tonto (Michael Horse). This experience changed my life so much.

So many BAD reviews.
I was surprised.

This movie "bombed" because it made people angry, and the film was subsequently boycotted on principle, but NOT BECAUSE IT WAS A BAD FILM.

As some reviewers suggest the main actors performance was so bad he never worked again! Wow. That's an uneducated and lame remark. The main actor probably never worked again partly because of the films lack of success. Which I've already noted had nothing to do with the actually quality of the film from a technical standpoint. The film industry is harsh. That's life. There are many actors who have only done one film, good or bad, for reasons aside from talent.


Okay so ... the way the film producers treated the original Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore, was disgusting. Yes. Google it, I'm sure you'll find the whole story. I'm sure people who want to stay faithful to the original ACTOR, not necessarily the original character of the Lone Ranger, may choose to give this film a bad review thinking somehow that vindicates the situation.


Whatever.


You know, I don't know what to say about that. I saw this as a kid, long after the Lone Ranger Radio show, long after the TV series. Perhaps the original TV series was not available on VHS at the time I saw this? Or maybe my family couldn't find or couldn't afford VHS tapes of the original at the time they came out. All I know is my Dad and my Aunt grew up with and loved the original, but THIS is what we had access too in the 80's.

I saw this as a little kid & barley remembered it. I just found the VHS tape the other day and sat and watched it with my Aunt. It was a fun flick. Good action. Good acting. Hey...Christopher Lloyd is in it. He plays a very convincing bad guy.

Is it as bad as the Clayton Moore fans would have you believe?
NO :::::::Absolutely not:::::::

In fact I don't know what Moore fans think they have to gain from giving the film such poor reviews. Clayton Moore died in 1999. Do you give all of John Hart's movies a bad review too, just because he replaced Moore for a year when the TV show entered into a salary dispute!?



Bottom Line-------> This was a pretty good movie and if it will explain the legend of the Lone Ranger to another generation, a generation perhaps not interested in a 1930's radio show, or a 1950's Tv series ... and that gets another generation hooked ... don't you think that's was Mr. Moore would want? For other generations to know and love a character he spent his whole life portraying?

I do.

I'm pretty sure that Clayton Moore would be quite happy that someone my age is a Lone Ranger fan. That my sister who is almost 20 years younger than me is a Lone Ranger fan. Even if the producers of this particular film treated him like dirt. I'm sorry of the 'die hard' fans of baby boomer generation find the films ::mere existence:: to be an abomination. Please get over that! Moore would have. Geesh!!

It's always seemed a shame to me that reviewers have given this movie such a bad rap. I'm surprised (pleasantly) that you have it for sale. For a number of years it wasn't even available. There are so many movies available that are so much worse than The Legend of the Lone Ranger, and they receive higher ratings, that it is difficult to understand why those who are purportedly experts dismiss its good qualities so quickly. The acting isn't the best - but neither is it the worst. The story line doesn't lend itself to complicated acting ventures, but then it's not intended to. It's wholesome entertainment that draws our minds to the heroic deeds of the Lone Ranger. The story gives us a good history of the main characters, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, and presents their development to men of honor in an understandable portrayal. I especially enjoyed the scenes that depicted the meeting with Silver, and the friendship that developed between The Lone Ranger and his horse. It's most serious drawback is the narrative by Merle Haggard that drones through it. If that could be removed the movie would still hold promise, and provide some pleasant entertainment for those of us who are nostalgic western lovers.

Come on, this was a fun action movie, worthy of at least Good "B Flic" status. Just the horse scenes alone are worth making a nice DVD release. Thirdeyenine.

I first saw this movie when I was 12 in Apr.1984. That was a rainy evening, and I couldn't forget it. I cried to my Mom and begging her for buying the ticket for a second watch. Then I took the 3rd watch several months later. Finally I managed to record it from TV 3 years later and watched it over and over. And when I am 29 years old in 2001, I asked a friend to buy the video tape from Amazon.com. I watched it last Sunday (also a rainy evening), and again I feel that I am filled with a kind of spirit, just like when I was 12. I don't know why the movie was so criticized and Klinton never managed to make another movie, but I do believe it is the best western I have ever seen, and even the best scenery with the best music, of course Silver is the best steed on screen. Also, Tonto acted by Michael Horse was the first Native American character I have ever seen, and my 12-year old heart could not resist the nobility and stability that he has represented. I then decided to learn about this noble nation, and this idea keeps to this day....... This movie does change my life since 12, from when I began to think about something, and know what to do. Just like the Indian chief has told young John Reid and young Tonto. Still remember Michael Horse! I searched the whole internet but could not even find a photo of him. Anybody who know more of him are welcome to contact me !