Mustang Country (1976) User Reviews (12)

Good to see Joel McCrea

[dbrown-77 · 7/10 · 12 December 2009]

I did not know that this movie existed until happening upon it on AMC. It was very pleasant to see Joel McCrea back in action. His performance is enough to recommend this film. The scenery, mostly filmed in Banff National Park from what I can gather, is an equally pleasing costar to McCrea. There is much filler footage of animals doing animal actor tricks which is silly and distracting. At these points the movie feels like a sub-par Disney nature film, but the main story line of McCrea's aging rancher out to capture a wild mustang and bonding with a young American Indian orphan in the process is a nice story that rises above the lame moments.

If you like Joel McCrea, spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery, or are in the mood for a straightforward family Western this film may be of interest to you.

McCrea and the mountains -- spectacular. Everything else -- lousy

[JimB-4 · 5/10 · 1 November 2006]

Joel McCrea came out of retirement to do this, and one can only wonder why. It seems likely it was either the chance to spend a lot of time on horseback in astonishing mountain countryside (which one would imagine he'd done plenty of times before this), or he was too nice to turn down a friend. The story is basic and unadorned by nuance or insight. Old cowboy wants wild mustang. Orphaned kid with spunk helps him. Adventures follow. There's no conflict in the story beyond whether the pair will capture the horse. The only two other actors in the movie are nice guys who disappear after one scene. And of the two main actors, Joel McCrea is the only one who can act. (He's not given anything remotely complex to act, though.) The kid is out-acted by McCrea's dog. In fact, the kid is out-acted by McCrea's hat. But it's wonderful to see McCrea in his twilight years, still a consummate pro, still a splendid rider, still a movie star. And the scenery is worth four of the five points I voted the movie.

A mundane and simple Western with gorgeous outdoors and paying tribute to Joel McCrea

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 21 March 2020]

A family Western set in 1925, Montana, Canada border, about a veteran cowboy : Joel McCrea's final movie at his 69 year-old , and an Indian little boy : teen Mina, dealing with their relationships and the hunt for a valuable horse. Along the way they confront a feared Grizzly Bear that is causing wreak havoc.

Nice film regarding a family story with Joel McCrea as a rancher comes out of retirement and teams up with an Indian boy, and then both of whom attemping to tame a brave mustang. Here is shown Wilderness Splendor and animal fury . Here appears a lot of wildlife such as dangerous rattlesnake , wolves , Coyote , American Buffalo , Coonskin, Puma , the wild Mustang and a bloody Grizzly Bear . Forteen years on from Sam Peckinpah's Ride in High Sierra, aging Joel Crea's goes back , as he came out of retirement to play a likeable and upright starring in his last film. Pleasant to watch the old cowboy up and about, but there's little to it. MacCrea was a B actor , though ocassionally he played A films as Sullivan's travels and The Dangerous game . Joel perfomed a lot of Westerns, such as : Union Pacific , Buffalo Bill, The Virginian , Ramrod , South of Saint Luis , Four Faces West , The Oklahoman . MacCrea is well acompanied by a sympathetic kid, Nika Mina, and as guest stars in brief appearances : Patrick Wayne, John Wayne's son, and Robert Fuller who at the time played several Westerns.

It contains colorful and briliant cinematography by Barry Heron. Showing spectacular and breathtaking landscapes shot on location in Banff National Park, Canada. The motion picture was well produced and directed by John Champion at his only one . Champion produced various Westerns as Texas Kid , Shotgun , Hellgate, Stampede and Laramie series and Warfare movies as Submarine X-I , Attack on the Iron Coast , Zero hour, Dragofly squadron . Rating 6/10. Decent adventure western in Walt Disney style that will appeal both, children and adults

Family oriented outdoors movie

[lorenellroy · 7/10 · 3 November 2007]

This has been described as a Western but I tend to disagree feeling it has more of an affinity with the "wilderness"movies and TV series that were being made around the same time ,such as Adventures of the Wilderness Family and Grizzly Adams.It is a simple tale of an ex-rodeo star turned rancher (Joel McCrea)who ,joined by a young native American boy (Nika Mina)sets out to capture the last wild mustang in Montana ,during the 1920's .There are only two other roles -a brief one scene appearance from Robert Fuller (ex of the Laramie TV show)and Patrick Wayne.

The movie is pleasant but inconsequential offering little drama or character interaction but beguiling the eye with some attractive scenery and I suspect its main appeal will be to those seeking undisturbing family entertainment . It was to be Joel McCrea's last movie and he brought to it his usual rock solid professionalism The movie uses clips from earlier McCrea movies to illustrate the psst life of his character in this movie ..It would have been more fitting if he had ended his career with what turned out to be his penultimate movie Ride the High Country -that wonderfully elegy and tribute to a passing breed of men .As it was he left with this movie -pleasant ,untroubling but a bit too soft focused to be really aimed at adults

Its nice and its amiable -nothing more.

McCrea, back in the saddle one last time

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 4 September 2020]

A 70-year-old Joel McCrea emerged from retirement to make one last film - a simple unpretentious western about a hunt for a lone black stallion on the Montana-Alberta border in 1925. Ironically, McCrea was in Hollywood just two years after the setting of this film starting out in a series of uncredited modern dress roles. But I digress.

This is largely a two character movie, with McCrea accompanied for the majority of the film by young Nika Mina as a runaway Indian boy who, after he discovers that his grandfather has died, gets McCrea to agree, after numerous failures, to help him capture a stallion. There's a reward for the horse which the boy wants for his family. The story will also involve Three Toe, a grizzly who wiped out all the sheep on McCrea's ranch and who, of course, will emerge from the woods to cause trouble again.

Filmed on location in Banff National Park the scenery, needless to say, is breath takingly gorgeous, from the first shot in this film to the last. Those who love the sight of mountains and forests, lakes and streams, will have nothing to complain about in regard to that aspect of the film. There are also a lot of cutaway shots of animals, at times giving the film a bit of a Disney feel, but it's not too much of a distraction from the main story.

In his only film appearance Nika Mann is clearly limited as an actor but even though he's a bit stiff as a performer, he's a likable kid companion. McCrea, even in his grey haired senior years, still looks mighty convincing riding a horse, and there's a comfortable screen presence about him, as well as a direct honesty in his delivery of dialogue that makes his final screen performance an appealing one.

By the way, aside from the Indian boy, McCrea's other two companions throughout most of the film will be his horse, Rosie, and a remarkably bright dog, Luke, who will play a role in saving both McCrea and the Indian boy from wilderness tragedies.

Briefly appearing at the beginning of the film are Robert Fuller and Patrick Wayne as a couple of cowboys who try in vain to capture the stallion. While the film seems designed to appeal to kids, adults should also enjoy it for the scenery and McCrea's seasoned performance.

The Forces Of Nature

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 26 September 2009]

After watching Mustang Country, I'm convinced that Joel McCrea came out of retirement to do this film because he didn't want his last work on cinema to be Cry Blood Apache. This was a western done six years before in which Joel McCrea made a small appearance as an older version of the character that star Jody McCrea played. Jody also produced that rather worthless work and Joel must have regretted he didn't make retirement stick after Ride The High Country the way co-star Randolph Scott did.

While Mustang Country will never attain the classic status of Ride The High Country, it's still a nice family western drama. McCrea is on screen for 98% of it with young Nika Mina his Indian co-star. McCrea is a western old timer, former sheep rancher who lives with his daughter and her family, but is now on business of his own to catch a wild black stallion on whom a bounty's been put. But you don't just kill a magnificent animal like this. Along the way McCrea finds young Nika Mina in the wilderness making for home after leaving the white man's school. He's on his way back to the reservation to see his grandfather who raised him. When they get home, grandfather has died and McCrea is all this kid has.

So it's the old man, the kid, the old man's mare and his dog. What more do you need to make a family picture? There aren't any human villains, the closest Mustang Country has to a villain is a rogue grizzly bear old Three Toes. As for the stallion, he's up to all the tricks that man can devise. But what he isn't up to is a call to nature and the fact he's been alone himself in the woods for a long time. Good thing McCrea was riding a mare.

Only two other human actors have any substantial roles. Robert Fuller and Patrick Wayne play a couple of other cowboys looking to collect the bounty on the stallion, but he's up to their double teaming. They visit with McCrea at his camp for a bit and leave the film early.

The cinematography in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is really first rate. That and Joel McCrea are the best things about Mustang Country.

Excellent Family Film

[kyrai · 10/10 · 5 June 2007]

My daughter loves horses and is 6 years old. She and I watched this movie and were delighted the entire time. This is one of the very few G rated movies that is actually made in such a way that no parts were too intense for a young child. The scenery was lovely. The nature scenes were wonderful. The dialogue was simple, but very real, and laced with kindness that is rare these days. I loved the subtle wisdom of Dan, and the way the boy was refreshed by his influence. An overall winner in my book. One funny detail was that a pure-bred rottweiler dog was in the film, and when the owner was asked what kind of dog it was, he replied, "You name it, he's got it!"

A nice final film for McCrea

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 4 November 2023]

With the exception to the incredibly sappy song you unfortunately hear twice during "Mustang Country", this is a dandy film...especially since it represents Joel McCrea's final movie appearance.

The plot to this film is a bit like that of a similar film of the era, "Mackintosh and T. J.". In it, Roy Rogers comes out of retirement for one final film...and both have to do with an old cowboy befriending a mixed up kid who just needs a bit of guidance.

In this case, Dan (McCrea) is out trying to capture a very elusive wild mustang when he comes upon young Mika, a native teen who's run away from school. Dan helps the boy make his way to his grandfather's house, but when it turns out the man is dead, Dan keeps Mika with him to help him in his quest for that Black horse.

The film clearly has 'Family Movie' written all over it...and that's not a bad thing. It felt like the actor McCrea mentoring the next generation and it's one of his better performances. Not a brilliant film but a very good and enjoyable one that I recently found on YouTube. Plus the scenery around Banff is simply breathtaking.

William Holden and Ricky Schroder Move Over !!!

[doncilla · 10/10 · 15 February 2006]

I can't get over it. I thought "The Earthling" would never receive a decent competitor, but here it is. "The Earthling" takes place in another UK-founded country, Australia. And the boy is an orphaned son of a couple of tourists. Here, in "Mustang Country", the boy is a runaway Native American teen and the old man is an aficionado of horses since earlier than 1925. (The film starts as the two meet in a meadow while the old man is licking his chops to snare a black stallion.) Canada and its neighbor, Montana, are the venues in this one. But those are basically the only differences. Both stories tell of an old salt who decides to take a wayward young man in the wilderness under his arm. In each story, the old salt teaches the youth how to survive in the wilderness while teaching him essential characteristics of getting along well in life. Hmmm. Am I the only one who sees a tie-in to our contemporary "Challenger Program", where adults take real-life youths into the wilderness for the same purpose? The scenery would be like a National Geographic travelogue, if it weren't for the grand way the producers have brought together two great Thespians for the roles. (The Native American youth reminds me a lot of my 9-year-old grandson, as we visit the wilderness together in Utah.) I'm here to tell you, the teenagers and pre-teens are as clever and co-operative as the youth was in this film. As I have already indicated, I give it 10 of 10. Having taught in schoolrooms before I retired, I would suggest it as a three-day section of any middle-school or junior high school wilderness course. And, yes, we do offer those courses in Utah's secondary schools.

A strangely sad movie with wonderful scenery and a thin plot Mcrae was a giant and his days were over.

[mattdillon-92503 · 15 December 2016]

I had accidentally seen this movie at about the same time of the day--very early morning getting ready to run all day errands and dreading it.

I owned horses for many years and know when a man is riding and when he is just filling the saddle. McCrea used to RIDE and in a few scenes here he did it again.

My dad's entire male family broke horses for a living. Ironically that the money they earned made enough money for my dad to have the first student owned car at his high school in Nebraska.

He knew things about horses in his late seventies that it makes me wonder just how much he knew in his prime.

This movie takes me back to those days. Simplicity and horse people. Beauty, slow speed and with a simple plot it can't hurt to watch it.

When I saw how everyone in the movie had aged I thought about how good I look now look at age 62. Then I saw the year this film was made. 1976! I graduated High School and was in college at that time!!!.

I included the parts about myself because that is what this film brought up. IF you are a horse person--you will enjoy it. IF you are looking for the typical Western--you will be disappointed. This film brings back memories of Mcrae's skill as a movie star. He was still good. Pat Wayne and the Ken Doll-- Fuller were there taking up film. Sorry-- was never too fond of their work. WJ

The Black Stallion just wants to be free.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 22 April 2022]

This is an above average family adventure set in the great outdoors where veteran actor Joel McCrea has a great role as the gging cowboy out to capture and tame a wild horse. With his faithful dog and horse as his only companion, he faces a lot of dangers, and a fall into the water has him nearly drowning until the loyal pooch pulls him out. It's amazing to watch this dog physically turn McCrea over and yank him by the caller out of the stream. Along comes young native teen Nika Mina who tends to his injuries and accompanies him on an adventure to try to rope the stallion, something he's been trying to do too for his grandfather.

A camaraderie between the young Mina and the elderly McCrea grows, and after Mina discovers that his grandfather has passed away, he longs to be taken in so he can have a family and share in the bond that has been created. Along the way, they encounter all the wonders of nature, dealing with a vicious grizzly bear who once attacked McCrea's dog. Children will love to see the deer, wild cats, raccoons, otters and other wildlife, although there is a twist involving the dog that is very sad. I didn't like the plot about having McCrea obsessed with catching the horse which just wanted its freedom, but the horse also enjoys playing games and taunting them.

Both McCrea and Mina learn things from each other, and it's a touching relationship that grows in the 80 minute running time. Mina does pretty good with limited acting skills, playing the role with mostly a deadpan speech pattern and rarely smiling, but he is a charming, sweet presence who does show charisma on screen. The Montana location footage is gorgeous with lots of mountains in the background as well as lots of greenery with the trees in the forests and the open land. Robert Fuller and Patrick Wayne appear in smaller parts, only briefly, so you get to see the two men of different backgrounds and generations bond in a way that takes on the focus and gives great character development to the two characters, as well as show the personalities of both horses and McCrea's dog.

Mustang Country - A Visual Treat

[krocheav · 8/10 · 30 December 2021]

In 1976 this unexpected movie was as much a surprise as a refreshing relief from the grim gangster pics that had taken hold on the industry of the day. A well and truly retired Joel McCrea must have liked the script from writer/producer/director John Champion to allow himself to be lured back into the game he said he was through with - and at 69 he proved a formidable character to tackle such an active role. Being a professional horseman he makes moving at speed look as easy as an evening stroll! It seems the film was made to commemorate some Centenary celebration and was released in two versions - the best was released into cinemas as a support, at approx 80mins - while an extended version screened on TV, padded out with footage lifted from earlier McCrea westerns.

It's as pleasing to the eye as it is unusual for its day and while slight in its overall story, is set in some of the most ruggedly beautiful country in Alberta and well photographed by J. Barry Herron (Orca '77). Within the opening, there is an appearance of two guest stars, Patrick Wayne and Robert Fuller - who don't return for the duration but are used quite well. A one and only screen performance by a young native Indian lad, Nika Mina completes the rest of the cast as they search the hills for a precious wild Mustang. Random shots of animals existing in the wild are accompanied by a fine music score from gifted composer/arranger Lee Holdridge. There's a good song included by Denny Brooks ("Follow Your Restless Dreams") that's nicely featured in one section and closes the film. On the journey, a massive rogue Black Bear adds deadly excitement invading a barn the two central travellers take refuge in.

McCrea followers will be pleased to see this sterling veteran performer in his final role. In 1976, this little film won a Western Heritage Trustees Award for outstanding family entertainment in a western motion picture (though I agree with other reviewers that this film, set in 1925, is more a 'Wilderness' movie than a Western) Some DVD copies available are poor but It seems Universal have recently given this worthy picture a new DVD release - while I have not seen the quality, if taken from the original 35mm negative this should look visually perfect.