Watch Ride in the Whirlwind
- G
- 1965
- 1 hr 22 min
-
6.4 (4,445)
Ride in the Whirlwind is a 1966 Western movie directed by Monte Hellman and starring Jack Nicholson, Cameron Mitchell, and Millie Perkins. The film revolves around three cowboys who become the target of a posse after being wrongly accused of a crime. The story begins with Wes (Jack Nicholson), Vern (Cameron Mitchell), and Otis (Tom Filer) as they make their way through the plains, hunting for gold. Along the way, they stumble upon a cabin where they meet a group of outlaws who offer them food and shelter. The next morning, a posse arrives to arrest the outlaws for their crimes, but they end up killing one of the posse members in the process. Vern suggests that they leave immediately, but Wes and Otis decide to stay and help the outlaws escape.
Unfortunately for the trio, they are spotted by the posse and are now being hunted down as accomplices to the outlaws. The three cowboys are forced to flee on horseback, with the posse hot on their tail. Wes and Otis split up from Vern and head towards a nearby town, hoping to lose the posse. However, they soon realize that the town is also in the midst of a conflict between the settlers and the vigilantes.
As they try to leave the town unnoticed, Wes discovers that Millie (Millie Perkins) has been captured by the posse and is being held captive. Despite knowing that it may jeopardize their chances of escaping, Wes decides to rescue Millie from the posse. The posse tracks them down to a cabin where they engage in a shoot-out, resulting in various casualties on both sides.
The film ends with Wes being shot and left for dead by the posse, Otis being captured, and Vern's fate unknown. The movie is left open-ended, with the audience left to interpret the outcome as they see fit.
Ride in the Whirlwind is a gritty Western with a minimalist plot that focuses on the characters' struggle for survival in a hostile environment. The movie is notable for its unconventional approach to the genre, with the heroes being portrayed as sympathetic but flawed individuals who are caught up in events beyond their control.
Jack Nicholson's performance as Wes is particularly noteworthy, as his portrayal of a naive cowboy who gradually becomes disillusioned with the world around him is both convincing and poignant. Cameron Mitchell is also effective as Vern, a world-weary cowboy who is resigned to his fate.
The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, with the barren landscapes of America's West being captured in all their rugged beauty. The movie's score is also notable, with composer Robert Drasnin's Western-inspired music perfectly complementing the movie's mood and tone.
All in all, Ride in the Whirlwind is a well-crafted Western that offers a fresh take on the genre. It is a must-watch for fans of Jack Nicholson, as well as for anyone interested in the Western movie genre.
Ride in the Whirlwind is a 1965 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.