THE TRAVELING EXECUTIONER (1970)

 

Directed by: Jack Smight  Written by: Garris Bateson  Cinematography: Philip Lathrop  Editor: Neil Travis

Cast: Stacy Keach, Bud Cort, Marianna Hill, Graham Jarvis, James J. Sloyan, M Emmet Walsh, Ford Rainey, James Greene 

Jonas Candide, an ex-carny who in 1918 travels around the bayou with a portable electric chair. At $100 a head, he rendered his services with loving care. But then he falls for a female "client".

This movie is like a Coen brothers movie before their time, only less stylish. That kind of gets you into the mindset and expectations of the film.

A curiosity of 1970’s cinema as half of what makes the film Memorable are the characters who mostly come off as humorous or some more ridiculous but all feel lived in. They all also have loose morals. None more than the central character played with charm by Stacy Keach.

He is an actor who is considered a character actor but once you look at his resume. Not only has he appeared in some forgotten gems but also starred in many underseen movies. Usually in which he is a revelation in the lead. 

The film is freewheeling yet structured. It gets a bit macabre more in attitude but keeps your interests and moving right along with it. 

The irony of this film is then it begins and he is more of a freelance shady yet fun character. Everything runs smoothly but as soon as he tries to do the right thing in his own way his luck runs out and each act leads to things burying him deeper. Throughout his desperation, he stays strangely upbeat.

The villain of the film is one of the characters who is supposed to be the most moralistic. The lead guard at the prison. Who is one of the few characters who isn’t impressed or taken by his charm.

During all of this, there is a love story thrown in, that makes him have this change of heart.

Luckily the film is more cynical than anything else. It has a dark sense of humor that is only highlighted by its downbeat yet happy ending that shows the film never loses its sense of humor. No matter how dramatic it might get.

This is a film that creeps up on you as you watch. But towards the end, we are surprised by how much we care. 

GRADE: B-