54 reviews
A stirring little gem with an unbronsonesque Bronson
This modest little gem is a humorous, funny, melancholic movie about what you can encounter if you fall in love with a romantic woman - you can end up bigger than life, and that can get you into serious trouble! Bronson - far from his usual he-man cliché roles - delivers a very nice, humorous performance; and so does Jill Ireland. Just watch it, even if you are far from being a Bronson fan - this droll flick is enjoyable for everyone!
To tell you more, and make you understand, one cannot avoid spoilers; so here's the plot:
***** SPOILERS *****************************
Graham Dorsey (Bronson) is a member of a gang which is on their way to rob a bank. Being frightened of the job, he takes the chance to stay in a house by the road until his buddies come back from the job.
The lady of the house, Amanda (Ireland), a young, attractive widow, is alone in the house. Graham manages to get her to bed with him. They fall for each other (he pretends to be somewhat more noble than he really is), and share some hours of love and bliss - until a posse comes to catch him (the robbery had failed). He tries to flee (telling Amanda he goes to free his accomplices). But he ends up in jail, sentenced for another man's frauds, while the other man is erroneously shot in his place. So Amanda gets word that Graham is dead.
Amanda, formerly an honorable widow, now looked upon as a bandit's mistress, is alone in her grief. She writes a book about the story; but Graham having overstated, and Amanda having a strong tendency to romanticize and idealize her feelings, she describes the whole story much bigger than life. The book becomes a best-seller; not only locally, but all over the world. The tale gets a huge hype.
So when Graham is free again after a year in jail, and comes back into town (in disguise) for Amanda, he finds, to his surprise and growing amusement, some sort of "Graham Dorsey Disneyland" at the place, built around the book's tale. And Amanda's house has turned into a GD museum, visited by loads of tourists guided by Amanda who tells them "her story". He, too, enters, asking for a tour. He gets it; Amanda does not recognize him - not even when he takes his masquerade off: she simply does not believe him - she believes her book, and in her book, he is bigger, more beautiful, and better in any respect! (very funny scene)
Finally, he succeeds to make her believe him. But to his big surprise, Amanda does not want the real GD - she prefers to live for the legend! She tells him that formerly, it was a matter of just the two of them; but now it has become a matter of the feelings of all the world, which she would not hurt by destroying the myth. Even when he tries to apply force, she just steals his gun and demands that he leaves forever. He refuses. When she sees no more way to change his mind, she even shoots herself before his eyes.
On his following lonely odyssey, he meets the Graham & Amanda hype everywhere, ad nauseam: and whenever he gets up to protest against the lies, saying that HE is GD, he is laughed at, shouted down, or even threatened for his "fraud". Irony of fate: it is only in the end, when he is put in an asylum for his "lunacy", among the lunatics, that Graham finds people who believe him and accept him, and finds his peace of mind.
*********** END OF SPOILERS *******************
So this movie, though playing in a western milieu, is at its core a story of the fate of an unusual love. It is very unpretentious (far away from roaring schmaltz like "Gone with the wind" or "Titanic"; lightyears away from that big-mouthed, stylish soulless crap that we have to endure since the eighties), just a humble, bittersweet little (tragi)comedy with moments of the grotesque, about life's pleasures and grief, about becoming a culprit and becoming a victim; about the value and the cost of idealizing and true life. If it wouldn't be for Bronson and Ireland starring, you might call it a B-film. But Charles Bronson - surely not being the king of actors - delivers a very nice, humorous performance here in a very unbronsonesque role, together with his excelling real life wife Jill Ireland. It's a pity that the direction is wooden sometimes. And, fitting superbly to its old-fashioned style, the movie has a nice catchy melancholic little waltz as a theme song ("Hello and Goodbye"/Elmer Bernstein/Alan and Marilyn Bergman, sung by Ireland), dealing with the elusiveness of love.
Give it a chance! You will come out of it thoughtful, I guess; and about how many Hollywood films can you say that?
Valuation: I would spontaneously give it a good 7 out of 10 - but I spontaneously tend to judge relating to an IMDb average valuation of below 5, as it should be; but the actual average being near 7, it should get an 8 (though this is unfair to the comedy masterpieces like Lubitsch's "To be or not to be", or Chaplin's "Modern times"; or Tati's "Jour de fête" - those should have at least a 12, then! :-) )
To tell you more, and make you understand, one cannot avoid spoilers; so here's the plot:
***** SPOILERS *****************************
Graham Dorsey (Bronson) is a member of a gang which is on their way to rob a bank. Being frightened of the job, he takes the chance to stay in a house by the road until his buddies come back from the job.
The lady of the house, Amanda (Ireland), a young, attractive widow, is alone in the house. Graham manages to get her to bed with him. They fall for each other (he pretends to be somewhat more noble than he really is), and share some hours of love and bliss - until a posse comes to catch him (the robbery had failed). He tries to flee (telling Amanda he goes to free his accomplices). But he ends up in jail, sentenced for another man's frauds, while the other man is erroneously shot in his place. So Amanda gets word that Graham is dead.
Amanda, formerly an honorable widow, now looked upon as a bandit's mistress, is alone in her grief. She writes a book about the story; but Graham having overstated, and Amanda having a strong tendency to romanticize and idealize her feelings, she describes the whole story much bigger than life. The book becomes a best-seller; not only locally, but all over the world. The tale gets a huge hype.
So when Graham is free again after a year in jail, and comes back into town (in disguise) for Amanda, he finds, to his surprise and growing amusement, some sort of "Graham Dorsey Disneyland" at the place, built around the book's tale. And Amanda's house has turned into a GD museum, visited by loads of tourists guided by Amanda who tells them "her story". He, too, enters, asking for a tour. He gets it; Amanda does not recognize him - not even when he takes his masquerade off: she simply does not believe him - she believes her book, and in her book, he is bigger, more beautiful, and better in any respect! (very funny scene)
Finally, he succeeds to make her believe him. But to his big surprise, Amanda does not want the real GD - she prefers to live for the legend! She tells him that formerly, it was a matter of just the two of them; but now it has become a matter of the feelings of all the world, which she would not hurt by destroying the myth. Even when he tries to apply force, she just steals his gun and demands that he leaves forever. He refuses. When she sees no more way to change his mind, she even shoots herself before his eyes.
On his following lonely odyssey, he meets the Graham & Amanda hype everywhere, ad nauseam: and whenever he gets up to protest against the lies, saying that HE is GD, he is laughed at, shouted down, or even threatened for his "fraud". Irony of fate: it is only in the end, when he is put in an asylum for his "lunacy", among the lunatics, that Graham finds people who believe him and accept him, and finds his peace of mind.
*********** END OF SPOILERS *******************
So this movie, though playing in a western milieu, is at its core a story of the fate of an unusual love. It is very unpretentious (far away from roaring schmaltz like "Gone with the wind" or "Titanic"; lightyears away from that big-mouthed, stylish soulless crap that we have to endure since the eighties), just a humble, bittersweet little (tragi)comedy with moments of the grotesque, about life's pleasures and grief, about becoming a culprit and becoming a victim; about the value and the cost of idealizing and true life. If it wouldn't be for Bronson and Ireland starring, you might call it a B-film. But Charles Bronson - surely not being the king of actors - delivers a very nice, humorous performance here in a very unbronsonesque role, together with his excelling real life wife Jill Ireland. It's a pity that the direction is wooden sometimes. And, fitting superbly to its old-fashioned style, the movie has a nice catchy melancholic little waltz as a theme song ("Hello and Goodbye"/Elmer Bernstein/Alan and Marilyn Bergman, sung by Ireland), dealing with the elusiveness of love.
Give it a chance! You will come out of it thoughtful, I guess; and about how many Hollywood films can you say that?
Valuation: I would spontaneously give it a good 7 out of 10 - but I spontaneously tend to judge relating to an IMDb average valuation of below 5, as it should be; but the actual average being near 7, it should get an 8 (though this is unfair to the comedy masterpieces like Lubitsch's "To be or not to be", or Chaplin's "Modern times"; or Tati's "Jour de fête" - those should have at least a 12, then! :-) )
Unreservedly Recommended.
I'm shocked to learn that only 17 comments were written in the IMDb so far. I've seen this movie 20 years ago and for a second time last week. I still feel this is a great movie.
Full of inspiration and transpiration, with excellent script and directing, not to mention the great performance by the 2 leading actor and actress, both exhibiting masterpiece achievements for their professionalism.
It was a low cost production, but great film doesn't necessarily cost much. It's a complete waste of movie resource that so little people had seen this masterpiece.
Probably Bronson's only comedy, I strongly and unreservedly recommend it to anyone!
Full of inspiration and transpiration, with excellent script and directing, not to mention the great performance by the 2 leading actor and actress, both exhibiting masterpiece achievements for their professionalism.
It was a low cost production, but great film doesn't necessarily cost much. It's a complete waste of movie resource that so little people had seen this masterpiece.
Probably Bronson's only comedy, I strongly and unreservedly recommend it to anyone!
To my unending surprise, I loved this movie and am searching all sources to find it and buy it.
Charm is not a word you would associate Charles Bronson with, but he is chock full if it in this "romp." A group of bank robbers leave Charles Bronson at a widow's (Jill Ireland's) house because his horse goes lame. They vow to pick him up after the robbery in what they figure will be about three hours (thus the name of the movie). In those three hours Charles Bronson, after almost attacking Jill Ireland, decides to go for a sympathy play and has Jill Ireland, within 15 minutes making love to him to help him with his "impotency." While watching the movie, it makes you wonder how she held off for so long. If you want to see Charles Bronson half naked, with a physique of a man 20 years younger, making love - three times -- this is the movie for you. After he leaves, and is mistakenly thought killed, Jill Ireland writes a book about their three hour affair and the whole thing turns into a type of legend, which turns the town into a type of World's Fair exhibit. Charles Bronson ends up in jail for different reasons where he finds out that he has become a legend and of course ties to tell people that's he's that person, and if things weren't already crazy they get crazier. Charles Bronson is unrecognizable from the characters he played in practically all of his other movies. This movie shows his range as an actor and makes me sad he never got to display more of what he was actually capable of. Jill Ireland pulls off her character beautifully and also shows her range, something else we never got to see in her other movies. After thinking about the movie, I know why they did it. If you are channel surfing and see it, by all means watch it. I'm looking for it on DVD now. I want to buy it.
A great adult comedy Western
"Some have a life time/Some just a Day..... Nothing's ever forever/ Forever's a lie..." So goes the theme of this excellent and memorable movie. Bronson shows his talent not only as an actor but as a comic. Jill Ireland also exceeds anything she did before or after. Her shock as she realizes Graham is telling the truth is alone worth the price of admission. Perhaps not for Bronson fans but rather for those of us who enjoyed "Cat Ballou", "Support your Local Sheriff/Gunfighter" and 'The Halleluia Trail". Adult comedy westerns come no better than this.
The strangest Bronson film ever
Never have I seen a Bronson flicker as bizarre as this gem. Here we have a outlaw who breezes into the life of a lonely, remote woman on the post civil war outback. Their relationship takes off like a ruptured duck, producing an outcome that only the likes of a taro card reader could predict. I loved the way this story played out as the action led from one stranger than fiction event to another. This led Bronson's character to lose the one thing more valuable to him than all the bank money he had ever desired and his lover to lose even more. This was a top notch Charles Bronson film, well written and played out, possibly the best thing I've seen him in yet. Thumbs up.
- helpless-dancer
- Dec 19, 2009
- Permalink
Agreeable and atttactive Western/ romance / comedy with the real life marriage, Bronson and Ireland
After spending 3 unforgettable hours with an outlaw called Graham Dorsey, Charles Bronson, whose band commits a bank hold-up thwarted by villagers , a beautiful young widow, Jill Ireland, turns her love story - Romeo and Juliet alike- into a worldwide notorious book with several prints and she builds the mediocre Graham Dorsey into a western hero. As the town celebrates :Welcome to Gladstone City where Buck Bowers gang met their end and the romance of Graham and Amanda began. As the noisy city receives a lot of tourists and visitors and showing : Starbuck Mansion tour twice daily , 3 dummies with a poster captioning : where they were hung. And to see Graham Dorsey's grave: he valued friendship more than life , sleep gently sweet prince.
This is a change of pace character for Bronson in a spoof of western legend . Strange is certainly the word for this comedy action fantasy romance tale . The plot is plain and simple as Bronson has a brief romance with his real wife Jill Ireland who , believing him dead, fictionalizes their lives in a series of succssesful books, when he turns alive, no one, including Jill believes that he is the actual Dorsey and he is gradually driven crazy. No sypnosis could convey the flavour of a movie that almost creates its own genre and even might have done so with other classic Hollywood actors . Bronson gives an acceptable acting as the two-fisted gunslinger , though Charles adventure buffs may well not know what to make of this one . This is one of a number of westerns that Bronson played during the mid, late 60s and early seventies, as the famous Once upon a time the west by Sergio Leone, Red sun by Terence Young , Chato by Michael Winner , Nevada Express by Tom Gries , Valdez by John Sturges and White Buffalo by JL Thompson. And being finely acompanied by Jill Ireland who is nice as the gorgeous and sympathetic widow. Supporting cast is good with brief interpretations from Douglas Fowley, Don Red Barry, Elmer Bernstein himself and Anne Ramsey.
Enjoyable and sensitive musical scoreby the classy maestro Elmer Bernstein. Adequate and appropriate production design by Robert Clatworthy, an expert designer who worked in Psycho, Ship of fools, Touch of evil, Guess who is coming to dinner, The incredible shrinking man, The parent trap, among others. The motion picture was weak but professionally directed by Frank D Gilroy. He was a craftsman who wrote and directed a few films such as The gig, Jinxed, Once in Paris, Desperate characters, The subject was roses , The gallant hours and Fastest gun alive. Rating :acceptable and passable 6/10
This is a change of pace character for Bronson in a spoof of western legend . Strange is certainly the word for this comedy action fantasy romance tale . The plot is plain and simple as Bronson has a brief romance with his real wife Jill Ireland who , believing him dead, fictionalizes their lives in a series of succssesful books, when he turns alive, no one, including Jill believes that he is the actual Dorsey and he is gradually driven crazy. No sypnosis could convey the flavour of a movie that almost creates its own genre and even might have done so with other classic Hollywood actors . Bronson gives an acceptable acting as the two-fisted gunslinger , though Charles adventure buffs may well not know what to make of this one . This is one of a number of westerns that Bronson played during the mid, late 60s and early seventies, as the famous Once upon a time the west by Sergio Leone, Red sun by Terence Young , Chato by Michael Winner , Nevada Express by Tom Gries , Valdez by John Sturges and White Buffalo by JL Thompson. And being finely acompanied by Jill Ireland who is nice as the gorgeous and sympathetic widow. Supporting cast is good with brief interpretations from Douglas Fowley, Don Red Barry, Elmer Bernstein himself and Anne Ramsey.
Enjoyable and sensitive musical scoreby the classy maestro Elmer Bernstein. Adequate and appropriate production design by Robert Clatworthy, an expert designer who worked in Psycho, Ship of fools, Touch of evil, Guess who is coming to dinner, The incredible shrinking man, The parent trap, among others. The motion picture was weak but professionally directed by Frank D Gilroy. He was a craftsman who wrote and directed a few films such as The gig, Jinxed, Once in Paris, Desperate characters, The subject was roses , The gallant hours and Fastest gun alive. Rating :acceptable and passable 6/10
I'm surprised there is a region one DVD release of this...
Bronson makes Nice
At the height of his stardom, Charles Bronson made this curious oddity. He stars as a bankrobber hiding out at a widow's residence and after a series of comical mishaps, fall in love with one another. This is probably Jill (Bronson's then real life wife) Ireland's best moment. She made a career doing a lot of second stringing in her husband's films but she comes into her own here in a believably sympathetic performance. As for Bronson, well he didn't do a lot of "cute" movies so it's nice to see him in something a little less nasty for a change. Also, he provides some impressive comic relief in his own inimitable, understated way. It is only hampered by some awfully wooden direction. Still, you could do a lot worse.
- megavenganceman
- Jan 18, 2004
- Permalink
A wonderful love story with a twist
This is my favorite Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland movie. Great writing, directing, photography, and film editing. The casting was perfect. Douglas V Fowley was perfect as the bank robber gang leader. The way Jill is seduced and falls in love with Bronson is fantastic. But alas their love was not destined to last. This is Jill's best and Bronson showed his versatility in a different kind of role. I had hoped that when Bronson returned to her from prison, their love would have reignited and they would have lived happily ever after. But life is not like that. At least they had those beautiful hours From noon till three. I know you will enjoy this movie. I could see it over and over.
- elmer_klump
- Nov 28, 2006
- Permalink
Atypical Bronson fare.
Amusing western-comedy, with Charles Bronson in one of his most atypical roles. The film is an interesting curio; I don't remember seeing something similar. A minor work, but well worthwhile.
Oddball Bronson flick
- Leofwine_draca
- Feb 21, 2019
- Permalink
Bronson in a lighter key works, but does not feed blood lust.
If you seek killer Bronson, he isn't home. But if you are willing to watch Bronson doing lighter work and be on screen with his wife in a mildly funny satire, enjoy. From first meeting to keeper of the legend, this is a Jill Ireland vehicle. It satirizes Bronson's previous work which grew out of the dime novel creation of the American West. We watch the Bronson character lose control of his real life because a widow creates a better outlaw than he was. Enjoy this for the satire on every level including the score and the songs.
It is a refreshing change of pace compared to the blood beast Bronson had to feed in many action movies. Now that it is being broadcast, watch it with the idea that Bill Hickok and Bill Cody played on stage for money and that dime novelist Ned Buntline gave out those Buntline specials to the men he wrote about. I suspect most of you will at least chuckle at the world caught up in the legend of a third rate bank robber ensnared by a woman he seduced. And the end is better satire than real life Emmett Dalton going to Hollywood to help make movies about the Dalton gang robbing Coffeyville. For an adult audience, this is far better entertainment than Over the Hill Gang slapstick. Give it a try.
It is a refreshing change of pace compared to the blood beast Bronson had to feed in many action movies. Now that it is being broadcast, watch it with the idea that Bill Hickok and Bill Cody played on stage for money and that dime novelist Ned Buntline gave out those Buntline specials to the men he wrote about. I suspect most of you will at least chuckle at the world caught up in the legend of a third rate bank robber ensnared by a woman he seduced. And the end is better satire than real life Emmett Dalton going to Hollywood to help make movies about the Dalton gang robbing Coffeyville. For an adult audience, this is far better entertainment than Over the Hill Gang slapstick. Give it a try.
Wow, a wild film!
I am somewhat shocked by "From Noon Till Three". I had never seen this film until today and I had no idea what to expect except that I always want to like Charles Bronson films but I often have a tough time doing so as they are mostly too dour and violent. But "From Noon Till Three" did not fit into the typical Bronson mold. It was not excessively violent nor sad, at least until the end. I had really hoped for a happy ending but be forewarned that this story's ending is well unique.
This film shows that a man can't always live up to his legend; that there's a difference between men and myth, reality and fantasy, and some people prefer one over the other. This film also features nice cinematography and good music with one ditty sung by Jill Ireland herself. She does a nice job playing a stoic beauty who is perhaps overly romantic. Also I must say once again that this film is ultimately a fantasy or fairy tale, not to be taken too seriously, but as stated be forewarned that it doesn't have the happiest of endings.
Though the real life famous couple of Ireland and Bronson surely did know a thing or two about fame and its effects, on both the stars and the fans, so were in a qualified position to spin this interesting yarn which may actually say a great deal about fame, myth, and legend and how various persons view it and value it. So all in all, I will rate this unique western a 6/10.
This film shows that a man can't always live up to his legend; that there's a difference between men and myth, reality and fantasy, and some people prefer one over the other. This film also features nice cinematography and good music with one ditty sung by Jill Ireland herself. She does a nice job playing a stoic beauty who is perhaps overly romantic. Also I must say once again that this film is ultimately a fantasy or fairy tale, not to be taken too seriously, but as stated be forewarned that it doesn't have the happiest of endings.
Though the real life famous couple of Ireland and Bronson surely did know a thing or two about fame and its effects, on both the stars and the fans, so were in a qualified position to spin this interesting yarn which may actually say a great deal about fame, myth, and legend and how various persons view it and value it. So all in all, I will rate this unique western a 6/10.
- ThomasColquith
- Nov 15, 2021
- Permalink
From Snooze Kill Thee
- Oslo_Jargo
- Aug 23, 2016
- Permalink
Engaging, engrossing little film that ALMOST makes it...
- Poseidon-3
- Jan 11, 2006
- Permalink
A romantic legend
Charles Bronson has the good fortune of having his horse step into a chuck hole and it having to be destroyed. Good luck because he was a member of Douglas Fowley's gang on the way to rob a bank. The gang parks him with romantic widow Jill Ireland and they have a romantic idyll of sorts From Noon Till Three.
Ireland, a widow who is well fixed did not have much romance in her life while her much older husband was alive and none after he died. She's full of all kinds of notions of true love and Bronson comes along admirably suited to fulfill those notions. But the romantic idyll they create soon overwhelms them.
Bronson and Ireland as real life husband and wife certainly loved working together. They certainly have a familiarity that translates well on screen. When Bronson is her "guest" for those hours you're never quite sure if he's pitching a line to this obviously love starved widow. After a while you don't care and are rooting for him to hit a home run.
Fowley and the rest meet a sad end, but Bronson and Ireland create their own story. I can't say much more, but From Noon To Three is a great tribute to the John Ford maxim from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Print the legend they certainly did.
Ireland, a widow who is well fixed did not have much romance in her life while her much older husband was alive and none after he died. She's full of all kinds of notions of true love and Bronson comes along admirably suited to fulfill those notions. But the romantic idyll they create soon overwhelms them.
Bronson and Ireland as real life husband and wife certainly loved working together. They certainly have a familiarity that translates well on screen. When Bronson is her "guest" for those hours you're never quite sure if he's pitching a line to this obviously love starved widow. After a while you don't care and are rooting for him to hit a home run.
Fowley and the rest meet a sad end, but Bronson and Ireland create their own story. I can't say much more, but From Noon To Three is a great tribute to the John Ford maxim from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Print the legend they certainly did.
- bkoganbing
- Aug 16, 2016
- Permalink
Gets More Bizarre as the Story Progresses
This film begins with five outlaws riding in the country intent on robbing the bank at a small town called Gladstone City. However, a problem arises when the horse carrying one of the outlaws named "Graham Dorsey" (Charles Bronson) comes up lame. As a result the group continue on their way with him riding double until they get to a large mansion an hour or so from the town. When they inquire about buying a horse a woman by the name of "Amanda Starbuck" (Jill Ireland) tells them that she has none on the property. Doubting her response Graham checks the barn and then returns with the news that the noise they heard coming from it was a just a cow. So the group decides to leave Graham with the woman there at the house with the intention of robbing the bank and returning in a few hours. Wasting no time both Graham and Amanda soon become intimately acquainted but events soon spiral out-of-control immediately afterward. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a very strange film which gets more bizarre as the story progresses. And while I didn't care too much for the ending I must admit that it was still an enjoyable Western-Comedy and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Bronson goes all Jean Genet
Great Ideas, Not Great Execution
From Noon Till Three - a Bronson & Ireland gem
The first time I saw this movie (about 1984) I watched it because there didn't seem to be anything else on local TV (I didn't have cable yet). I had never heard of it before, but wow! Talk about a sleeper! I couldn't believe that I had never heard of a movie this good!
It was a pleasant surprise for me, as I have not been all that fond of Bronson movies. Instead of Mr. Tough Guy, Bronson actually plays a part that shows real heart.
And Jill Ireland stole the show with her charming portrayal of the wealthy widow who accepted ol' Charlie into her life for three hours. Her on screen presence was captivating.
If you have never seen From Noon Till Three, I suggest you do so soon. It will put a smile on your face that will last for hours. Like all good movies it should be seen without commercial interruption. So get yourself a copy and enjoy!
It was a pleasant surprise for me, as I have not been all that fond of Bronson movies. Instead of Mr. Tough Guy, Bronson actually plays a part that shows real heart.
And Jill Ireland stole the show with her charming portrayal of the wealthy widow who accepted ol' Charlie into her life for three hours. Her on screen presence was captivating.
If you have never seen From Noon Till Three, I suggest you do so soon. It will put a smile on your face that will last for hours. Like all good movies it should be seen without commercial interruption. So get yourself a copy and enjoy!
A Mix of Emotions
I saw this movie just yesterday and fell in-love with it. It seems like a serious western but then the humor plays in and you would never know it was a love story. Near the end you don't know how to react the plot was so unexpected. I loved to twist and turns its a movie i wouldn't mind seeing more than once just for the excitement. I highly recommend it. One minute you expect bank robberies and shootings but you find yourself watching two people fall in-love. Its ironic how in the beginning of the movie he's fooling her to love him then the next he's fooled himself. You want them to live together but she lets the fantasy of their love get in the way of it. This movie shows that you can't have love through lies only through honesty. And i think that this has helped me to know how to live the rest of my life.
- therandomtalker
- Nov 19, 2006
- Permalink
this could be for you
I'm always up for something that little bit different but I wasn't prepared for this. I must have sat mouth agape as my eyes glazed over as it dawned upon me this was not exactly to my taste. If you like Jill Ireland and are keen to see Bronson as a romantic lothario, this could be for you but I just found it so unbelievable that it could ever have got made.
I note, however, that this has a considerable following, so for some this whimsical tale of inherent silliness is most appealing and I worry for them. I'm fairly certain that anyone used to checking out my own peculiar taste in films will find this the most amazing waste of time.
I note, however, that this has a considerable following, so for some this whimsical tale of inherent silliness is most appealing and I worry for them. I'm fairly certain that anyone used to checking out my own peculiar taste in films will find this the most amazing waste of time.
- christopher-underwood
- Sep 26, 2015
- Permalink
Overlooked and under-appreciated.
If you liked A Big Hand for the Little Lady(1966), then this small, under-appreciated gem is for you, and the less you know about it, the better. It is a vehicle for Ireland who has never been better, and it's the best film that she and her husband Charles Bronson made together. Their relationship which suggests the Taming of the Shrew is one of the most convincingly romantic pairings I've ever seen. Ireland, a widow, is a western version of Norma Desmond or Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, and virtually everything she says is a lie. The title refers to the 3 hours Bronson spends with her in her isolated Victorian mansion. The film is a comedy, a western, a romance,and a satire on myth-making and celebrity, and it succeeds on all levels. Overlooked when released, writer/director, and Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright, Frank Gilroy deserves praise for this fine western comedy. It's smarter, more romantic, and more sophisticated than Cat Ballou, True Grit, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Skin Game, The Ballad of Cable Hogue etc.... It all works beautifully and the ending is satisfying and surprising. Bronson in a change of pace is very good indeed. Don't miss this film. Definitely deserves a DVD release.
No. No. No. The story goes something like this.
'From Noon till Three' is an interesting look at the cost of fame and the sensationalism used to brand a name
a legend, but it's the mistaken identities, perceived images and a second side to the story that makes the man of the legend a forgotten shadow. Sadly this seems to be quite an overlooked film, that's undeservedly neglected and criminally underrated. Frank D. Gilroy managed to adapt his own novel in writing the film's screenplay and then directing his inspired vision. Quite slight, but effectively assembled.
A group of outlaws are heading to a town to rob a bank, but along the way one of the members; Graham Dorcey's horse brakes a leg. So doubling up, on their way there they come across a remote house owned by the stunning widow Amanda hoping to buy a horse. No luck (or that's what it seems) as Dorcy stays at the house to wait upon the gang to return after the robbery. What starts off as awkward becomes a delightfully meaningful three hours between the pair. However news comes through the robbery was botched, and to please Amanda he promises to go into town to see what he can do. However this causes a chain of events that would go down in folklore history.
Formlessly peculiar, but charmingly breezy light-hearted western / romance with the smart material holding a satirical outlook to the genre's familiar conventions. However it chooses to play around with these staples, by turning them upside with amusing, but also downbeat (or bittersweet) results in what is quite an inventive structure. The message its got to say, probably does go on to take away from its fun, quirky set-up, but everything that occurs seems to come off with a fitting ending to all the uncanny things that have gone before it. A character-laced script, which is dialog hounded with a playfully adventurous attitude. This is truly Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland's film. The amount of time they get is boundless, as the focus is mainly on them with the heart-warming, natural chemistry (which couldn't be helped since of their budding marriage) breaking through. The interactions are what drives it, and holds it together. Bronson not in his usual role gives an affectionately bouncy performance and Ireland genuinely balances that uptight quality with ice-breaking warmness. The rest of the performances don't figure that prominently, but Douglas Fowley and Stan Haze leave their marks early on. Gilroy's direction is a steadfast effort clicking with a relax pace and Elmer Bernstein's majestically flavoured score is right on the money.
A group of outlaws are heading to a town to rob a bank, but along the way one of the members; Graham Dorcey's horse brakes a leg. So doubling up, on their way there they come across a remote house owned by the stunning widow Amanda hoping to buy a horse. No luck (or that's what it seems) as Dorcy stays at the house to wait upon the gang to return after the robbery. What starts off as awkward becomes a delightfully meaningful three hours between the pair. However news comes through the robbery was botched, and to please Amanda he promises to go into town to see what he can do. However this causes a chain of events that would go down in folklore history.
Formlessly peculiar, but charmingly breezy light-hearted western / romance with the smart material holding a satirical outlook to the genre's familiar conventions. However it chooses to play around with these staples, by turning them upside with amusing, but also downbeat (or bittersweet) results in what is quite an inventive structure. The message its got to say, probably does go on to take away from its fun, quirky set-up, but everything that occurs seems to come off with a fitting ending to all the uncanny things that have gone before it. A character-laced script, which is dialog hounded with a playfully adventurous attitude. This is truly Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland's film. The amount of time they get is boundless, as the focus is mainly on them with the heart-warming, natural chemistry (which couldn't be helped since of their budding marriage) breaking through. The interactions are what drives it, and holds it together. Bronson not in his usual role gives an affectionately bouncy performance and Ireland genuinely balances that uptight quality with ice-breaking warmness. The rest of the performances don't figure that prominently, but Douglas Fowley and Stan Haze leave their marks early on. Gilroy's direction is a steadfast effort clicking with a relax pace and Elmer Bernstein's majestically flavoured score is right on the money.
- lost-in-limbo
- Nov 6, 2009
- Permalink
A Fun Charles Bronson Movie
This gem is relatively unknown to the mainstream because it was made about 20 years too late. The big dream concept was a bit far-fetched for the 70's.
Now, if this was made back in the 50's with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, this unusual romantic fantasy may have found a much bigger audience.
Instead, it's lead by an aging Charles Bronson and his real-life wife Jill Ireland. And there isn't anything wrong with that. The outcome, however, is just too comical to be taken seriously.
Nevertheless, it is a fun one to watch. Charles and Jill had great chemistry, and you can really feel that they enjoyed making this together.
Now, if this was made back in the 50's with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, this unusual romantic fantasy may have found a much bigger audience.
Instead, it's lead by an aging Charles Bronson and his real-life wife Jill Ireland. And there isn't anything wrong with that. The outcome, however, is just too comical to be taken seriously.
Nevertheless, it is a fun one to watch. Charles and Jill had great chemistry, and you can really feel that they enjoyed making this together.
- worralljamie
- Nov 14, 2023
- Permalink