ActionAdventureWestern

The Legend of the Lone Ranger

- The untold story of the man behind the mask, and the legend behind the man.

When the young Texas Ranger, John Reid, is the sole survivor of an ambush arranged by the militaristic outlaw leader, Butch Cavendich, he is rescued by an old childhood Comanche friend, Tonto. When he recovers from his wounds, he dedicates his life to fighting the evil that Cavendich represents. To this end, John Reid becomes the great masked western hero, The Lone Ranger. With the help of Tonto, the pair go to rescue President Grant when Cavendich takes him hostage.

Release Date : 1981-08-06

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : ITC EntertainmentWrather ProductionsAssociated Film DistributionUniversal Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : The Lone Ranger / John Reid

Original Name : Klinton Spilsbury

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maj. Bartholomew 'Butch' Cavendish

Original Name : Christopher Lloyd

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sheriff Wiatt

Original Name : Matt Clark

Gender : Male

Character Name : Amy Striker

Original Name : Juanin Clay

Gender : Female

Character Name : President Ulysses S. Grant

Original Name : Jason Robards

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ranger Captain Dan Reid

Original Name : John Bennett Perry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ranger Collins

Original Name : David Hayward

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wild Bill Hickok

Original Name : Richard Farnsworth

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tonto

Original Name : Michael Horse

Gender : Male

Character Name : Young John Reid

Original Name : Marc Gilpin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lucas Striker

Original Name : John Hart

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gen. George A. Custer

Original Name : Lincoln Tate

Gender : Male

Character Name : Buffalo Bill Cody

Original Name : Ted Flicker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Bonita Granville

Gender : Female

Character Name : Young Tonto

Original Name : Patrick Montoya

Gender : Male

Character Name : General Aurelio Rodriguez

Original Name : David Bennett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jonathan Reid

Original Name : Ted White

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Reid

Original Name : Chere Rae

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lieutenant Perlmutter

Original Name : Robert F. Hoy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dale Wesley Stillwell

Original Name : Ted Gehring

Gender : Male

Character Name : Robert Edward Gattlin

Original Name : Buck Taylor

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wald (Cavendish gang)

Original Name : Chuck Hayward

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

***Serious take on the masked Western hero with a glimmer of fun*** The lone survivor of an ambush of a Texas Ranger patrol (Klinton Spilsbury) is rescued by his childhood AmerIndian friend, Tonto (Michael Horse). He becomes the Lone Ranger and, along with Tonto, they go after the traitor & outlaw gang that orchestrated the massacre. Christopher Lloyd plays the villain, Matt Clark the crooked sheriff, Juanin Clay the beautiful lady and Jason Robards President Grant. “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” (1981) is the first cinematic depiction of this Western hero, not counting the movies strewn together from the TV series (1949-1957) featuring Clayton Moore in the titular role. It’s similar to “Mackenna’s Gold” (1969) mixed with “The Comancheros” (1961) and its unacknowledged remake “Rio Conchos” (1964). All of these Westerns have a similar comic book tone, Southwest setting and a plot revolving around a veteran Civil War megalomaniac. The difference is that “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” adds the masked Western hero angle, akin to the later “The Mask of Zorro” (1998), but this doesn’t even occur until two minutes shy of the hour mark. From there, whenever the masked avenger shows up along with the corresponding “William Tell Overture” and “Hi, ho, Silver, Away!” it spurs chuckles. But, disregarding that, this is a standard comic book Western with a respectful, serious take on the legend. This was lead actor Spilsbury’s lone venture into cinema after only two small TV gigs. He looks the part and has the charisma, but the script doesn’t give his character enough dimension and his voice was dubbed with James Keach’s deeper vox. His fellow actors in the movie said this was unnecessary since there was nothing wrong with Spilsbury’s voice (obviously the producers just wanted a deeper vox). Meanwhile, it’s nice to see winsome Juanin Clay again (who had a significant role in the Buck Rogers episode “Vegas in Space” two years earlier), but not enough is done with her. Unfortunately, bad publicity resulting from the studio’s ill-advised lawsuit with Clayton Moore over his wearing the mask in public appearances tarnished the film’s premiere. This combined with the recent box office bomb of “Heaven’s Gate” (1980) and the general public disinterest in Westerns at the time doomed the movie. But, if you appreciate any of those Westerns noted above, it’s worth a look even though the Johnny Depp version is all-around more entertaining (2013). The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes, and was shot Arizona (Monument Valley), New Mexico (Bonanza Creek Ranch and Eaves Movie Ranch in Santa Fe, Cook Ranch in Galisteo, Abiquiu), Southern Cal (Bronson Canyon Vasquez Rocks) and Utah (Moab, Monument Valley). GRADE: B-