Search - Ride in the Whirlwind on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1967 DVD Release: 10/24/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Restored/Remastered SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 22 mins Studio: Vci Video Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Western, Revisionist Western

Director Monte Hellman and writer-star Jack Nicholson filmed this western simultaneously with The Shooting (1967). Nicholson stars as Wes, cowpuncher pal to Vern (Cameron Mitchell) and Otis (Tom Filer), who have all been hired as hands for a cattle roundup. En route to their new jobs, the men come across the handiwork of a lynch mob. Later, they find hospitality at the home of Blind Dick (Harry Dean Stanton), who graciously provides them with food and shelter. The cowboys are unaware that Blind Dick and his men recently robbed a stagecoach and murdered the driver. A sheriff (Bradon Carroll) and his posse surround the cabin and hang the thieves. Though innocent, the terrified cowboys flee. Otis is killed, but Wes and Vern escape -- with the posse in pursuit. When they stop to rest at the ranch of Evan (George Mitchell), Wes considers taking Evan's daughter hostage. Trying to steal Evan's horse, Vern is killed by the rancher, who in turn is shot by Wes. Once a law-abiding citizen, Wes has been transformed by unjust vigilantism into a killer. Fascinated by frontier era journals that he discovered in an L.A. library, Nicholson used the documents as inspiration in writing the script. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Cameron Mitchell - Vern
Jack Nicholson - Wes
Millie Perkins - Abby
Tom Filer - Otis
Katherine Squire - Catherine
George Mitchell - Evan

Filmed simultaneously in the Utah desert with Monte Hellman's other revisionist cult classic Western The Shooting (1966), Ride in the Whirlwind is notable for its dusty authenticity, its straightforward and compelling plot and characters, and for the fact that Jack Nicholson co-produced, wrote, and starred in the film. VCI's disc of this film is great, as it resurrects and restores the picture to its proper glory. For years the print for this film on VHS looked washed-out, grainy, and in need of a major clean-up. It's finally received one. The colors are a lot more vibrant and the picture has been properly letterboxed at 1.85:1. The Dolby Digital Mono soundtrack is a bit shrill at times, but definitely an improvement over previous incarnations. The DVD also includes an audio commentary with director Hellman and actress Millie Perkins, who plays a naïve farm girl. Moderated by Dennis Bartok (programmer from the American Cinematheque), the track focuses mostly on the filming and preparation surrounding this film. Hellman purposely steers clear of giving any detailed background info on the making of his two cult classics, since his commentary track for =The Shooting (also released by VCI) covers that ground. There are occasional pauses in the commentary, but for the most part the track is informative and entertaining. The DVD also includes a photo gallery, cast and crew bios, and trailers for both Hellman Westerns and for his later film Cockfighter. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide