Watch The Last Hunt

In the 1956 movie The Last Hunt, directed by Richard Brooks, Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger play two buffalo hunters, Charles and Sandy, who have teamed up to lead a hunting party across the plains of the American West. It's the late 1800s and the buffalo are becoming increasingly scarce, making it harder and harder for the hunters to find them.

Sandy is an experienced hunter, who boasts about his impressive kill tally and enjoys taking risks. Charles, on the other hand, is more reserved and practical, focused on making a living rather than having adventures. Their dynamic is tense but they manage to work together, although Charles is uneasy about some of the more dangerous tactics Sandy employs.

The pair leads a group of clients, including a wealthy man named Martin, played by Lloyd Nolan, and his wife, a former prostitute named Sioux, played by Debra Paget. The tension between Charles and Sandy is mirrored in the contrast between Martin and Sioux - he is uptight and worried about his reputation, while she is more relaxed and open-minded.

As the party travels through the wilderness, they face many challenges, from inclement weather to hostile Native American tribes. But the biggest challenge comes from within - as Sandy becomes increasingly reckless and obsessed with getting his next kill, Charles realizes that he may be putting the entire group in danger.

The Last Hunt is a powerful and emotional portrayal of the decline of the buffalo and the devastation it caused for both the animals and the people who relied on them. The movie doesn't shy away from showing the brutal reality of hunting - we see the buffalo being shot, skinned, and left to rot, and we witness the toll it takes on the hunters themselves.

But the movie also explores deeper themes, such as the relationship between humans and nature, the tension between adventure and responsibility, and the destructive power of greed. The characters are all flawed and complex, and the movie doesn't offer easy answers - instead, it presents a nuanced and thought-provoking picture of a complicated time in American history.

Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger both give excellent performances, with Taylor bringing a quiet intensity to his role and Granger playing the charming but dangerous Sandy with a mix of charisma and recklessness. Lloyd Nolan is also impressive as Martin, who undergoes a journey of transformation throughout the movie, and Debra Paget brings a sensitivity and vulnerability to her portrayal of Sioux.

The Last Hunt is a beautifully shot movie, with stunning landscapes and a sense of epic grandeur. The movie was shot on location in the Colorado Rockies, and the natural beauty of the area is a key element of its appeal. The music, composed by Daniele Amfitheatrof, is also notable, with a haunting and melancholic tone that complements the visual mood of the movie.

Overall, The Last Hunt is a compelling and moving drama, with excellent performances, impressive production values, and a memorable story that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled. It's a must-see for fans of classic Westerns, as well as anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.

The Last Hunt is a 1956 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.