MovieChat Forums > Mackenna's Gold (1969) Discussion > McKennas Gold. Good in parts!!

McKennas Gold. Good in parts!!

posted 15 years ago by nixonkg-1
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I have just watched this film after 41 years! The film is in my mind a Western Fantasy. Kind of a 1969 Jonah Hex!! The cinematography is spectacular in parts, but bears no relation to the real west. I am suprised that no one else has commented on the "really bad" back projection. Obviously a lot of this film was done on the cheap in the studio. Also was this movie planned as a "Cinerama" release. Lots of "drawn out" horses charging down mountains, Peck being dragged through the scrub and a real "cop out" ride on the river as the ferry raft approaches the rushing water falls. All in all a real "let down" after 40 years.

[–] lschwartz106 15 years ago

This film holds a special place in my heart. I first saw it thrity-five years ago when I was fourteen years old projected from an old fashioned projector.
There's a murky strain of Good versus Evil in the film. Its production values go in and out. The sequence when the traverse the rapids on a raft is one of the funniest action sequences ever to be filmed. Another unintentionally comic element is Telly Savallas' presence. Whose idea was it for Savalas' character to have his head dripping with shaving cream while colluding with Mackenna?
Another great scene is in Colorodo's cave hang-out. Keenan Wynn teasing the young Englishman with pretty-boy looks and golden tresses. Then pretty boy knocks the *beep* out of Keenan Wynn.

[–] sthall 14 years ago

Yes, the film was originally announced as a Cinerama presentation. I'd guess the Cinerama top brass took one look at the half-finished film and broke their contract. The film began shooting in Super Panavision 70 and was finished in 35mm, so that would explain the switch of format (though it was released in 70mm anyway).