Lawman
United Artists | Release Date: August 4, 1971 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
The TelegraphAlice Vincent
While the film has a deadly end, Lawman exchanges the typical good vs. evil narrative of Western films for one of moral ambiguity and humanity, and ultimately presents the question of whether murder can ever be justified. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Lancaster, as usual, is a highly convincing marshal, tough and taciturn. Ryan is also excellent as the faded, weak marshal with only memories. But it’s Cobb who quietly steals the film as the local boss who, however, unlike in many such films, is no ruthless villain. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
A humorless Greek-tragedy western with little going for it save its inexorable momentum toward the obvious end. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Winner should have told us a lot more about his lawman, or a lot less. Read full review
50
The New York TimesHoward Thompson
A potent but curiously exasperating Western. Read full review
40
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
Would-be thoughtful Western which ultimately resorts to killing and ketchup to make up for its lack of style and originality. Read full review
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