VividSimon Simply Perfect

Supelice Dreadfully Boring

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Ava-Grace Willis Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

JohnHowardReid Originally, Farrow and Latimer were to continue their association with Ray Milland in Jack of Diamonds. Latimer had already written the screenplay (based on a story by Berne Giler), a contemporary thriller casting Milland as a thief who steals from the Manhattan gem center, when the actor was called to MGM for A Life of Her Own. Paramount lost interest in the project and when Milland returned, it was decided to showcase him in a western instead. The idea of making him a trick-shooter was doubtless inspired by Milland's real-life ability, but unfortunately the script shows many signs of being prepared in considerable haste. "Copper Canyon", Milland's last film with Farrow, is also his least interesting. Yet oddly it was the movie that Universal chose to showcase in their first Farow-Milland DVD release, instead of Farrow's masterpiece, The Big Clock - a movie that figures on everyone's list of the top noir motion pictures ever made! On the other hand, the leading characters in "Copper Canyon" are little more than stock figures - particularly heroine and villain - and some supporting lights are so shadowy, they barely exist at all (Mona Freeman). Other characters and situations are introduced and then not developed. What is worse is that there is very little tension. Not only does the plot have a foregone conclusion, but the characters are so superficially drawn they seem to have no real feeling - and engage no sympathetic response from the audience.Fortunately, the film is not all stock characters in stock situations. There are pleasing incidentals. Milland's trick-shooting gives the hero an interesting edge and his umbrella of a second-rate theatrical company makes for some amusing saloon-pieces which director Farrow handles with obvious relish. The action material too is vigorously staged (including one unforgettable stunt at the climax). But despite some characteristic long takes, dramatic compositions, arresting high angle shots and even a bit of fluid camerawork, you can sense that Farrow's heart is not really involved in the superficial plot. Milland acts with his usual poise, Lamarr is coldly efficient and Carey is okay as a scruffy villain. The support players do their utmost to take advantage of their limited opportunities, but only Erno Verebes ("I'm the professor!") and Maxine Gates as an overweight chorus girl are really allowed to shine. Photographed in pleasantly-hued color on some rugged locations, Copper Canyon is a quite passable western on its own account - but a disappointing end to the Farrow-Milland-Latimer collaboration which produced such masterpieces as The Big Clock and Alias Nick Beal.

jerrypierini I am not going to say so much about the plot because other reviewers have. First, something I did not see in any other reviews and that is the scenery. Much of this was filmed around Sedona, Arizona. Great scenery. Ray Milland does a decent job as the lead. MacDonald Carey did a very good job as the bad guy. I saw him in the Streets of Loredo with William Holden and Carey was outstanding as the friend of the lead, Holden, and the bad guy. From these two performances I think he should have been cast in more movies and I think he could have done the lead. Frank Feylen, from the 60's "Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, play another of his many bad guy rolls. Not John Wayne, James Stewart, Randolph Scott or Joel Mccrea but an enjoyable movie. If you like westerns it is one to watch.

MartinHafer Although there are a few exceptions (very few), almost all westerns recycle about a half dozen plots. This one uses two VERY familiar plots. First is the Southerners being taken advantage of by the wicked Yankees plot--Errol Flynn and especially Randolph Scott made quite a few of these. Second is the evil boss-man trying to steal everyone's legal claim--usually to property, grazing land or mining. So, because of this, the film seems awfully familiar...too familiar.Ray Milland plays a professional trick-shooter (a novel idea for a western). He's approached by a group of Southerners in the post-Civil War West. That's because life in Copper Canyon stinks for Southerners--no one will smelt their ore and they are routinely robbed. It's gotten so bad that people are selling out and moving. Milland denies that he is this Confederate leader they think he was and is non-committal about going to Copper Creek. However, the next stage into town brings Milland--who still seems apprehensive to get involved.Along the way is the bad girl (Hedy Lamarr) from the dance hall (yet another western cliché) who has a foreign accent and who is so taken with the handsome stranger that she literally changes sides! And, of course, there is the baddie who specializes in shooting people in the back and killing people in staged gunfights (Macdonald Carey). So, as I said before, it's all way too familiar. What saves it, a bit, is the acting. The Welshman, Milland, is very good--even if he isn't the traditional macho hero. Plus, his accent is well-hid. And, although you might not expect it, Carey is also quite good. As for Hedy, she's given a rather thankless role without much room to act--she's more like a decoration through much of the film. If you love westerns, it's worth seeing...otherwise, it's just a polished time-passer.

ColeArmin Ray Milland is excellent in this under-estimated western. I would compare Milland to Jimmy Stewart or Gary Cooper. Milland was in Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder, and he did A Man Alone (he directed it also). Hedy Lamarr, for her only western is marvelous, beautiful. Also appears Harry Carey Jr. But the movie owes a lot to Milland and Lamarr's performancesMagnificent sets. There is a lot of action, except perhaps in the beginning. Great direction by John Farrow, who was going to direct 3 years later Hondo, with Duke Wayne.This western is a masterpiece, it is perfect. One of the best Paramount western ever made. Unmissable, and unforgettable.