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Joan Barton, John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Bruce Cabot ... see more see more... , Stephen Grant , Irene Rich , Paul Hurst , John Halloran , Lee Dixon , Olin Howland , Tom Powers , Marshall Reed , Craig Woods , Pat Flaherty , Hank Worden

One of John Wayne's most mystical films, Angel and the Badman is also the first production that Wayne personally produced. The star plays a wounded outlaw who is sheltered by a Quaker family. Attracte... read more read more...d to the family's angelic daughter Gail Russell, the hard-bitten Wayne undergoes a slow and subtle character transformation; still, he is obsessed with killing the man (Bruce Cabot) who murdered his foster father. The storyline traces not only the regeneration of Wayne, but of the single-minded sheriff (Harry Carey) who'd previously been determined to bring Wayne to justice. Not a big hit in 1947, Angel and the Badman has since become the most frequently telecast of John Wayne's Republic films, thanks to its lapse into Public Domain status in 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

6,812 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: James Edward Grant

Release Date: February 15, 1947

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DVD Release Date: October 14, 1999

 

Stats: 185 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (185)

  • moonrivers
    February 27, 2012
    moonrivers
    One of the best of Wayne's Westerns and for the curious reason that in it the Duke goes from one tough hombre to ... to a farmer (?!?). Injured man on the run and fast draw Quirt Evans is sheltered by a family of Quakers and slowly starts to question his life of boozin', rustlin... read more', gamblin', brawlin' and killin'. Well, not brawlin'. Gail Russell is the reason why, and I understand that.
  • FilmFanatik
    May 15, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Pretty good western about a man who sees the error of his ways, but the slow pace of the thing kind of kills it. Thankfully it has John Wayne, Bruce Cabot, and the beautiful Gail Russell in it, so it's definitely worth watching. It's just not quite as exciting as an average Joh... read moren Wayne western usually is.
  • jjnxn
    June 27, 2009
    jjnxn
    Decent western with a good redemption theme, John Wayne is more thoughtful than usual and Gail Russell is lovely with a wonderful quiet strength that she imparts to her character.
  • xxdebxx
    January 9, 2010
    xxdebxx
    This is a leisurely paced tale of an outlaw (John Wayne) who is befriended by a Quaker family, becomes ensnared by a Quaker girl (Gail Russell) and struggles to give up his past; gun slinger tries to hang up his guns and become a farmer. "Angel and the Badman" is a very enjoyable... read more film with a great love story and recommended for fans of John Wayne.
  • jusstpete
    May 13, 2012
    jusstpete
    This is a better than average John Wayne western. Gail Russell does well as his love interest. It's a simple story, and that's what makes it work.
  • PhotoDork
    May 18, 2011
    PhotoDork
    I think that this is my number one for John Wayne movies. I love the bannter Wayne/Russel had it made me smile.
  • phantopp
    May 14, 2010
    phantopp
    A wounded "Quirt Evans" (John Wayne) is injured even more as his horse collapses near the house of a Quaker family, who take him in and treat him.

    He catches the eye of the daughter in the family (Gail Russell), and he is obviously attracted to her. But, he just can't shake hi... read mores past as outlaws and the law alike try to get them for whatever reason.

    Now he has to look at himself and try to figure out what to do with his life.

    I have been watching a lot of movies starring John Wayne lately on Hulu, and this is easily the longest one so far. It is also one of the best ones on the site.

    For the first time in his career, Wayne is pulling double duty in this film. First, he is the leading man, as well as a first-time producer. Since I have no clue as to a producer's job, all I can do is judge him on his performance in front of the camera. And I have to say he does a pretty good job.

    What makes this Western unique is that it focuses on the personal conflict of "Evans," while throwing everything familiar to Westerns in. The focus is on "Evan's" personal struggle more than the typical plot of a Western.

    Violence in this movie is fairly tame in this movie, even by the standards of the time of its release. You get some shooting, and one fist fight (which mostly remains off-screen), and one attack from behind with an object from their surroundings. The violence is tame most likely because of the morality of the plot.

    I was not impressed with the romance subplot. Actually, not the way it was handled. I found it to be pretty weak, and not given the screen time it should have had. I think that the two involved were rushed in the storyline, and not given time to develop the on-screen relationship.

    I was also not impressed with the chemistry between Wayne and Russell. They had some chemistry together, but nothing impressive. In fact, I wasn't impressed with much of the chemistry between many cast members.

    I did not like many of the supporting cast, many of which didn't have time to develop. The child actor in this movie was pretty annoying, and seemed to be there just to throw out some complaints as some poor comic relief that, for me, didn't even produce a chuckle.

    Unlike other recent movies I've watched starring Wayne, I didn't hear any problems with audio. I did have a problem with the picture going fuzzy at times. It appears that Hulu got a bad print to upload. Also, unlike the other movies I've seen in the last couple of weeks, it appeared there was more music in the film. I didn't find any of the music helping in enhansing scenes, and can't remember any particular piece of music except a song being performed on stage in a bar scene.

    Parents need not worry about the violence in this film. It's pretty mild. You can watch this movie with no problem. In fact, parents will like the moral of this story.
  • ladybarker86
    August 3, 2009
    ladybarker86
    It shows John Wayne as weak but I'm a girl and it kinda was a girly western flick. So I liked it but not really. I'm iffy about the whole thing. I would own it still.
  • jam233
    June 23, 2009
    jam233
    This is a better than average John Wayne western, and one of his best with Republic. Gail Russell does well as his love interest. It's a simple story, and that's what makes it work. The story is unusual for a western and has more substance.
  • braddad68
    October 7, 2008
    braddad68
    Nice movie! Not a lot of action but a tender love story. I didn't know of Gail Russell. She was quite beautiful! John Wayne is about the youngest i've ever seen him in this one.

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Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom
November 21, 2007
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

One of Wayne's top B efforts; an offbeat love story that works as a romance as well as a Western. Russell is luminous.

Emanuel Levy
March 15, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

This black-and-white Western, which is Wayne's debut as producer, signals several elements of what would become the John Wayne iconic screen image, partly due to writer James Grant who was a frequent ... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
May 31, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Genteel Western. Full Review

Brian Lowry
March 26, 2009
Brian Lowry, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

August 8, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

February 16, 2005
Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan R. Perry
April 27, 2007
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

No review available.

Carol Cling
August 22, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
September 12, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

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Angel and the Badman Trivia

  • Who played the male lead role in "Angel and the Badman?"  Answer »
  • Who does Quirt notice in The Angel And The Badman ?  Answer »
  • Who was a notorious shootist and womanizer in The Angel and the Badman ?  Answer »
  • Who's horse collapses as they pass a Quaker home in The Angel And teh Badman ?  Answer »
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