Blu Ray Review: QUANTEZ (1957)

For those of us who grew up in the 60s, Fred MacMurray’s entire career was defined by the TV series My Three Sons until we grew up and discovered, via the late show, that MacMurray had a long and impressive film career before he agreed to play patriarch on a TV sitcom. Some of Fred’s best work was in westerns, and Kino Lorber has released one of his most intriguing.

Produced for Universal in 1957, Quantez is a widescreen colorful drama about a group of bandits, well ahead of the law after committing a robbery and killing a man. Heading for Mexico ahead of a posse, they come upon a deserted town and attempt to hole up there until their tired horses are ready to again hit the trail. They are working against time, because the law is a few days behind. Furthermore, the strong personalities within the group all start to clash.

Quantez is directed by Harry Keller, who had a long career at Universal studios, mostly directing westerns. This one is especially impressive because while each character is layered, the one played by MacMurray also has an alternate identity. This is revealed when a wandering minstrel happens upon the town and sings a song about outlaw John Coventry while painting Gentry, played by MacMurray. The artist suddenly realize that Gentry actually is Coventry.

This is Gentry’s story, separate from the film’s chief conflict between Heller (John Larch) and Teach (John Gavin) over Heller’s girl Chaney (Dorothy Malone). This is a romantic conflict that explores the volatile and abusive Heller vs. the kinder and more nurturing Teach. A further conflict includes Gato (Sydney Chaplin – son of Charlie), who has Native American blood. He finds that Apaches want him to kill all of the white men and bring the money from the robbery to them. Meanwhile, Heller gets the idea to kill off the others in the gang and have the money for himself and Chaney.

A compelling western drama with good direction, strong acting, and an exciting finale, the blu ray for Quantez also includes an interesting and enlightening commentary track by western movie expert Toby Roan.

It can be purchased at this link: Quantez on blu ray