Customer Reviews

The Rounders

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The inspired, superb teaming of Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda help raise this laid back film from almost certain obscurity. Based on the novel by Max Evans 'The Rounders' emerged as a sleeper hit when released in '65 and after all this time continues to defy the odds and remain a real audience pleaser today. Told with all too rare simplicity and filmed on alternately stark locations and colorful vistas, screenwriter and director Burt Kennedy crafts another one of his long series of winning films. Ford and Fonda play the aging bronc-busters (or 'cowboys with their brains kicked out' as Ford says) Ben Jones and Howdy Lewis just trying to earn enough money for a boat so they can live on the ocean...or a desert isle...or...well anywhere "where there ain't no grass and there ain't no horses!" as Ben firmly explains it to Howdy. Two factors stand in the way of their dreams: working for a stingy rancher who tries to pinch the duo for what he can and their own penchant for wasting every dime they earn in a matter of days when they make the annual journey into Sedona.

As the movie opens it is early autumn; Ben and Howdy reluctantly accept work from Jim Ed Love, a rancher they both love to hate. Part of their duties includes attempting to tame a furious and ornery young mustang properly named "Ol' Fooler". The horse quickly becomes their arch nemesis as it continually defies their attempts at bronc-busting; wily old veterans they refuse to be done-in by the stubborn animal and will eventually talk Love into letting them keep it as part of their pay. Ben and Howdy brainstorm that they can make a mint and leave their hard-luck days behind at the annual rodeo in Sedona by betting that no one can ride their varmint of a horse for longer than eight seconds. The plan goes fairly well but they encounter an unexpected twist of events that threatens to ruin the guys' enterprise and sink their dreams fast.

It shouldn't amount to much - but it does. One of the very best supporting casts ever assembled helps out tremendously providing endless appeal and colorful characterizations. Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, and both Kathleen & Joan Freeman show up as the story progresses and have fairly expanded roles. Barton MacLane, Denver Pyle and Doodles Weaver appear in cameo roles that seem tailored perfectly to their talents. An uncredited Warren Oates plays a bumbling gun-crazy wrangler that runs afoul of Jones and Lewis. The best surprise of all though is Sue Ann Langdon and Hope Holiday as two attractive and voluptuous ladies that Ben and Howdy happen upon when they make the late spring journey into Sedona. This sequence of the film supplies us with it's funniest and most memorable moments.

Made at a time when films could be both sparse of activity and routinely but unabashedly sentimental 'The Rounders' is living proof that comedies don't have to be big, bold and brassy to be enjoyed. For a refreshing change of pace and an opportunity to see Ford and Fonda at their most likeable I heartily recommend you set aside some time for this flick.

THE ROUNDERS is a not much of a movie plot. It's just a good movie. Unlike those wonderful B Westerns from the 1930s, these cowboys--Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda--got to drink hard "hotch" and also kiss the girls as well as the horse. It is a film that defines great countryside, solid friendship, how dreams keep yuh going, how great a movie can be without much of a plot, and how yuh learn to love your enemy. In this case, the enemy is that cagey Roan roping, bucking horse that slo-witted Ford tried his dangdest to break and couldn't. He wants to run down the horse with a pickup, shoot it,send it to the glue factory [soap product in this case] or sell it to some sucker willing to buy it. In the end bronco-busters Ford and Fonda don't bust the cantankerous Roan, but they prove that you can make an endearing story into a movie without getting maudlin about it. Three CHEERS and a DOZEN YIPPEES for this film.

Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford co-star as a pair of almost-over-the-hill cowpunchers whose love of the free life, and plain lack of horse sense, have kept them pinned to the same lousy job year after years, and also from settling down with any of the gals that moon over them when they come down from the hills long enough to spend their dough. These guys are loveable foul-ups, roustabouts who haven't quite figured out how to get ahead, but sure like doing things the hard way. Plenty of light comedy (including some of the most charming early '60s sexist jokes you're ever likely to see) and a funny love-hate relationship between Ford and the one horse he simply cannot break. It's nice to see Ford and Fonda play characters who just ain't that bright, each in their own typical understated style. Cute film -- recommended!

Director: Burt Kennedy

Format: Color

Studio: Warner Home Video

Video Release Date: June 30, 1993

Cast:

Glenn Ford

Henry Fonda

Chill Wills

This is a wonderful comedy about two old cowboys (Fonda and Ford) who whoop off their money in town, and then are forced by necessity to go back to work for the winter working for a niggardly rancher (Chill Wills), 'topping off' (breaking) wild cayuses and rounding up wild cattle. Then, in the Spring, the cycle is repeated with the same result.

On the ranch there is as a roan horse that is strongly reminiscent of the strawberry roan of Marty Robbins' song, which the boys view with a love/hate relationship. They end up owning him, in lieu of payment for some of their work.

The two meet two airheaded girls, with predictable results, and the story develops from there.

I found the movie entertaining, hilarious, and I hope you do too.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance

and other books

I have sat and watched this movie several times and I've enjoyed it more each time. Ford and Fonda are a great cowboy team. With the spectacular scenery of Sedona and surrounding Arizona territory, this makes for a superb afternoon at the movies.

I'n not talking of Matt Damon's "The rounders"..I'm taking about two great Hollywood ALL STARS...GLENN FORD & HENRY FONDA...with CHILL WILLS..their bossman!!This is a mordern day western with pure crayiness..about two cowpokes breaking in horses to live.

FORD & FONDA...much like...STEWART & FONDA..were so GREAT!

Fonda..with his repeating funny line.."What ever pleases you..pleases me to heck..." And the great STILL GLENN FORD...trying to break a horse & promises to have the horse made into soap..so he can bath in it.,..is very,very funny.M-G-M Studios..made it..So come on M-G-M..dust off a real winner in mordern western comedy.RELEASDED THIS BABY ON DVD & WIDESCREEN!!

Mr.Ford & Mr.Fonda deserves to share with the good old boys!!

It has been many years since I saw this flick and it took me a while to remember the name of it but it was memorable and I want to see it again. I have looked in many vidio stores for it but have not found it so I guess I will buy it..

I first saw this movie when it was released to the big screen several years ago. The

cast of Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Chill Wills, Sue Anne Langdon, Hope Holiday, and that ole Roan, were hilarious then, and they still are. I was soooo glad someone decided to

put it on DVD. I have watched it a couple of times since it arrived, and I still enjoy it......probably more so now, because Ford, Fonda, Wills, and that ole Roan, are no longer with us........in fact, I think I will watch it again, right now.

Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda team up as bronco cowboys in one of the funniest roles that Glenn Ford made out of his most prestigious career of dramas and westerns! A must see! This also happens to be Mr. Glenn Ford's favorite role next to Gilda. END

Glenn Ford was one of our Western greats yet many of his greatest movies are unavailable on DVD. What gives???? When does this one come out on DVD? And while we're at it where's "The Fastest Gun Alive" on DVD, or where period is "The Sheepman"? Some Executives must be rollin' in the dough because they absolutely seem to refuse to make another buck.