A Time for Killing (1967)

While watching this, was not surprised to see Roger Korman was involved though not credited. It appears that the script makes less sense than many of the horror films Roger was known for. Glenn Ford is mixed with Jethro Bodine (Max Baer) and Harrison Ford (Hans Solo) and Inger Stevens, and attractive actress who is only a few short years from committing suicide by a drug overdose. This script has less quality than Baer's production -Macon County Line.I do not think this film was supposed to turn out this way, it just kind of happens for no reason. Set after the end of the Civil War, it seems every bad guy tries to give her a raw deal. She is pretty crude in her answer It is kind of fun to see the cast in this one. Besides that I would avoid a historic blender. There is a lot happening here without a safety net, but it is harmless though the sweating actors on screen would not indicate it.

The Civil War may be ending, but not for Captain George Hamilton (as Dorrit Bentley), a handsome Confederate prisoner. "This war will never be over," Hamilton states, "Whether we like it or not, we'll fight this war for the next hundred years!" After a Union officer maliciously orders a Southern soldier killed, Mr. Hamilton leads his Rebels on an escape to Mexico, although everyone knows the captured men will soon be granted amnesty. For good measure, Hamilton kidnaps beautiful blonde Inger Stevens (as Emily Biddle), the fiancée of steadfast Major Glenn Ford (as Charles Wolcott), who leads the pursuit for Hamilton and his men.This film starts out surprisingly well, with some nice action from director Phil Karlson and the crew. Unfortunately, it unravels into mediocrity. Though Mr. Ford is top-billed, and has one good scene, the film stars Hamilton. His "anti-hero" characterization is weakly scripted - the main thrust seems to be: let's see long it takes until Ms. Stevens gets raped.The violated Stevens (from "The Farmer's Daughter"), bugle boy Paul Peterson (from "The Donna Reed Show"), and wacky Max Baer Jr. (from "The Beverly Hillbillies") are recognizable from their TV roles. The latter two actors perform embarrassingly bad last scenes. Also interesting in the cast are handsome young Harrison Ford and Harry Dean Stanton, in early roles. Hamilton's group is hunk-heavy, with Todd Armstrong (as Pru), Duke Hobbie (as Lonnie), James Davidson (as Mo), Charlie Briggs (as Kettlinger), and Craig Curtis (as Bagnef) really beefing up the Confederacy. Its eclectic cast is the main reason to take "A Time for Killing".***** A Time for Killing (8/15/67) Phil Karlson ~ George Hamilton, Glenn Ford, Inger Stevens, Paul Peterson

During late Civil War some Confederate soldiers getaway from an Union prison and head toward Mexico. Then a battle of wits pits a tough Union captain (Glenn Ford) against sadist Confederate Major (George Hamilton) when the latter abducts his love interest (Inger Stevens) . After that, the infuriated woman seeks revenge on the man who raped her . Meanwhile , a confederate soldier kills an Union courier who holds a message saying that Civil war is over .The picture contains action Western , continuous horse riding , shootouts and some violence . This violent cavalry-Western and hard on themes is full of noisy action , thrills , chills and results to be quite entertaining , though mediocre . The gratuitous violence brought quite criticism in the newspapers, though the director declared that it was utterly necessary . Harry Joe Brown wrote a personal check to Columbia Pictures for $1,000,000 to cover the costs of going over budget . Good duo protagonist as Glenn Ford and George Hamilton , though make exaggerated acting . It appears credited prestigious secondaries as Timothy Carey , a young Harry Dean Stanton and a youngest Harrison Ford , being his first credited film role . Furthermore , the veteran Kenneth Tobey and Dick Miller , Roger Corman's usual , who appears uncredited as director . Rare and thrilling musical score for an Old West movie . Colorful and atmospheric cinematography by Peach . The motion picture was regularly directed by Phil Karlson . There were no half measures in this filmmaker . He would make adventure movies or violent and noir films . As he directed Western as ¨Gunman's walk¨ , ¨They rode west¨, ¨Texas rangers, ¨Iroquois trail¨ and Gansters genre or Noir films as ¨Phoenix city story¨ and ¨Scarface mob¨ . Failure alternated with hits through his career, though Karlson's direction was more than successful in ¨ Walking tall¨ with invaluable help of Joe Don Baker . Rating : Acceptable Western ; George Hamilton and Glenn Ford fans will enjoy their idols .

I first saw this movie at the drive-in theater with my folks, when I was 7 years old. It affected me deeply, because this was the first "serious" western I had seen. Oh, sure, TV westerns had their serious moments, but most of them had healthy doses of comedy and I was just getting to the age when the good guys and the bad guys weren't so cut and dried. Plus, Jethro was in it, so it's probably pretty funny. Surprise! Still, I was glued to the screen and completely taken in by the story. Now, having finally seen it again on Encore, I still think it's pretty good. There are some major editing problems, but the acting is very good, and the dichotomy of the war is very present and really makes one think about the futility of our civil war. I didn't remember much over the years, except that the ending really struck me, and it still does, 41 years later. Maybe I'm just a sucker for westerns, but I'd really like to see this on a fully restored DVD. Oh, and as a musician, as well as a fan of Mundell Lowe's jazz stuff, his score here was intrusive and inappropriate. It sounded more like a rah-rah WWII score.But stay with this one to the end. Maybe it'll stick with you for 40 years, too.