Watch The Unforgiven

The Unforgiven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Huston and produced by James Hill. The movie stars Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Charles Bickford, and Lillian Gish. The movie tells the story of a family of Texas ranchers who are shunned by their community due to an unforgivable past. The story takes place in the 1880s and starts with the Zachary family, consisting of matriarch Mattilda, her two sons Ben and Cash, daughter Rachel, and adopted son Andy, living in a rural town in Texas. The family is shunned by their community because of rumors that their mother, Mattilda, had given birth to a half-Indian child named Abe. The Zacharys deny the rumors, but the townspeople are convinced, and this prejudice is made worse by the appearance of a group of heavily armed Kiowa Indians who have returned to the area after being absent for years.

The Zachary family soon finds itself in the middle of an intense conflict between the townspeople and the Kiowa Indians, and must navigate a maze of family secrets, hidden histories, and deadly threats. Ben, the eldest son, is determined to protect his family and their land, but is wracked with guilt over past actions. Cash, the younger brother, is hot-headed and impulsive, often acting without thinking. Rachel, the only daughter, is fiercely independent and determined to uncover the truth about her family's past. Andy, the adopted son, is caught between his loyalty to his family and his desire to be accepted by the community.

The conflict between the Zacharys and the townspeople comes to a head when Andy is accused of killing a local man. The Zacharys stand by Andy, but the townspeople are determined to see him hang. As tensions mount and violence threatens to overtake the town, the family must come to terms with their past and confront the horrors that they have tried to forget.

Burt Lancaster delivers a stunning performance as Ben Zachary, a man haunted by guilt and trying to protect his family from the sins of the past. Audrey Hepburn brings grace and dignity to the role of Rachel Zachary, a strong-willed woman determined to uncover the truth. Audie Murphy, in his first role in a major film, is solid as the young and conflicted Andy. The supporting cast, including John Saxon, Charles Bickford, and Lillian Gish, also delivers strong performances.

The Unforgiven is a Western that transcends the genre, exploring issues of family, community, and prejudice. The film is notable for its depiction of racism and the mistreatment of Native Americans, themes that were ahead of their time in 1960. Huston's direction is masterful, creating a tense and atmospheric world that draws the audience in from the very beginning.

Overall, The Unforgiven is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of family relationships, heroism, and the dark shadows of the past. The film's stunning performances and powerful narrative make it a must-see for fans of Westerns and drama alike.

The Unforgiven is a 1960 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.