The Legend of the Lone Ranger

The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

49%
44votes
1popularity
98min

"The untold story of the man behind the mask, and the legend behind the man."
Budget:$18,000,000
Revenue:$2,945,600
Release:8/6/1981
Genres:Action | Adventure | Western
Original language:English
Spoken languages:English
Countries:United States of America

Overview:

When the young Texas Ranger, John Reid, is the sole survivor of an ambush arranged by the militaristic outlaw leader, Butch Cavendich, he is rescued by an old childhood Comanche friend, Tonto. When he recovers from his wounds, he dedicates his life to fighting the evil that Cavendich represents. To this end, John Reid becomes the great masked western hero, The Lone Ranger. With the help of Tonto, the pair go to rescue President Grant when Cavendich takes him hostage.… Expand

Production companies:

ITC Entertainment
GB
Wrather Productions
Associated Film Distribution
United States of America
Universal Pictures
United States of America

Cast

Videos

The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) - Trailer HD 1080p
4/14/2021Trailer

Videos

Recommendations

Movie
1977
60%
The White Buffalo
Movie
2013
61%
The Lone Ranger
Movie
1961
67%
The Comancheros
Movie
2015
58%
Jane Got a Gun
Movie
1980
58%
The Mountain Men
Movie
1995
62%
Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure
Movie
2016
65%
The Magnificent Seven
Movie
1975
66%
Boss Nigger
Movie
1988
67%
Young Guns
Movie
1971
61%
Wild Rovers
Movie
2021
73%
Old Henry
Movie
1982
59%
Barbarosa
Movie
1955
64%
Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
Movie
1995
65%
The Quick and the Dead
Movie
1952
65%
Rancho Notorious
Movie
2010
64%
Gunless
Movie
1969
66%
Mackenna's Gold
Movie
1956
69%
Jubal
Movie
2001
60%
Texas Rangers
Movie
2011
66%
Blackthorn

Recommendations

Reviews

60%
Wuchak
- Created:8/23/2019
- Updated:6/23/2021
***Serious take on the masked Western hero with a glimmer of fun*** The lone survivor of an ambush of a Texas Ranger patrol (Klinton Spilsbury) is rescued by his childhood AmerIndian friend, Tonto (Michael Horse). He becomes the Lone Ranger and, along with Tonto, they go after the traitor & outlaw gang that orchestrated the massacre. Christopher Lloyd plays the villain, Matt Clark the crooked sheriff, Juanin Clay the beautiful lady and Jason Robards President Grant. “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” (1981) is the first cinematic depiction of this Western hero, not counting the movies strewn together from the TV series (1949-1957) featuring Clayton Moore in the titular role. It’s similar to “Mackenna’s Gold” (1969) mixed with “The Comancheros” (1961) and its unacknowledged remake “Rio Conchos” (1964). All of these Westerns have a similar comic book tone, Southwest setting and a plot revolving around a veteran Civil War megalomaniac. The difference is that “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” adds the masked Western hero angle, akin to the later “The Mask of Zorro” (1998), but this doesn’t even occur until two minutes shy of the hour mark. From there, whenever the masked avenger shows up along with the corresponding “William Tell Overture” and “Hi, ho, Silver, Away!” it spurs chuckles. But, disregarding that, this is a standard comic book Western with a respectful, serious take on the legend. This was lead actor Spilsbury’s lone venture into cinema after only two small TV gigs. He looks the part and has the charisma, but the script doesn’t give his character enough dimension and his voice was dubbed with James Keach’s deeper vox. His fellow actors in the movie said this was unnecessary since there was nothing wrong with Spilsbury’s voice (obviously the producers just wanted a deeper vox). Meanwhile, it’s nice to see winsome Juanin Clay again (who had a significant role in the Buck Rogers episode “Vegas in Space” two years earlier), but not enough is done with her. Unfortunately, bad publicity resulting from the studio’s ill-advised lawsuit with Clayton Moore over his wearing the mask in public appearances tarnished the film’s premiere. This combined with the recent box office bomb of “Heaven’s Gate” (1980) and the general public disinterest in Westerns at the time doomed the movie. But, if you appreciate any of those Westerns noted above, it’s worth a look even though the Johnny Depp version is all-around more entertaining (2013). The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes, and was shot Arizona (Monument Valley), New Mexico (Bonanza Creek Ranch and Eaves Movie Ranch in Santa Fe, Cook Ranch in Galisteo, Abiquiu), Southern Cal (Bronson Canyon Vasquez Rocks) and Utah (Moab, Monument Valley). GRADE: B-… Expand

Filmoteka