***Entertaining, but comic booky 1969 Western with a superlative cast***

"MacKenna's Gold" (1969) deals with the insanity of ‘gold fever’ and builds-up a good amount of anticipation concerning the secret gold canyon. Does it exist or doesn’t it? Western expert Brian Garfield (author of "Death Wish") commented on "MacKenna's Gold" in his outstanding book "Western Films" thusly: "it hasn't a single redeeming quality. It has got to be the most expensive star-studded two-hour ‘B’ movie ever made; a gargantuan dud of absolutely stunning dreadfulness."

It hasn't a SINGLE redeeming quality? Okay, let me list a smattering: Outstanding cast, including Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Ted Cassidy, Julie Newmar, Telly Savalas, Carmilla Sparv and many more, albeit mostly cameos; one of the greatest Western scores of all time by Quincy Jones, which ranks up there with "How the West Was Won," "Rio Lobo," "Duel at Diablo," "Bandolero!" "Bonanza," "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (to name a handful); a standout theme song, "Old Turkey Buzzard," sung by Jose Feliciano, written by Jones; and magnificent locations (Utah, Arizona, Rogue River Oregon) & cinematography.

Plus, although the story has an undeniable comic booky vibe (which explains why Garfield referred to it as a "B" movie), it is played out in a completely serious manner. And pretty much holds your attention while creating much anticipation regarding the legendary canyon.

Gregory Peck, who plays Marshal MacKenna, and Carmilla Sparv are definitely the "good guys." The film was made at a time (the late 60s) when characters in Westerns tended to be unlikable or amoral (e.g. "The Wild Bunch," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Macho Callahan"), and this movie has its fill as well, but it's nice to have some quality protagonists.

Omar Sharif plays the head Mexican bandit "Colorado" excellently. It's sort of an atypical role for him, but he performs with such gusto it seems he was born to play the part. Ted Cassidy, well-known as "Lurch" on TV's The Addam's Family, plays the intimidating, laconic Indian warrior Hachita. He superbly fits the character (regardless of whether or not he has AmerIndian blood running through his veins). Julie Newmar is likewise great as a CRAZY squaw. Red-blooded males will be interested to know that she has a nude swimming scene.

Quincy Jones' opening score and the theme song "Old Turkey Buzzard" are so stirring (especially combined with the magnificent Southwest photography) that sometimes I'll just play the beginning of the film, which runs a full 6-8 minutes (!). I've heard some complain that "Old Turkey Buzzard" is corny. But, speaking as someone who’s never been much of a fan of County/Western music, "Old Turkey Buzzard" is just a potent composition, regardless of the musical genre. It effectively comments on man's temporal nature and the insane & contagious condition of gold fever.

While "MacKenna's Gold" certainly lacks the gritty realism of, say, the contemporaneous "The Wild Bunch," it is indeed a serious film despite some undeniable cartoonish aspects. One could also probably nitpick about the not-quite-successful F/X miniature sequences, but that's not important; what is important is the film's entertainment value. At the end of the day "MacKenna's Gold" entertains.

The movie runs 2 hours, 8 minutes.

GRADE: B