Charles Bronson is Ben Justin, a tormented man trying to make a go of it on a small cattle ranch and envious of those who have become successful cattle kings, like Judge Garth.
His stepson Will would like to lend a hand, but Justin is afraid to let him too close, afraid he’ll see what a failure his father is.
Meanwhile, the cattlemen in the area face a new problem in Georgia Price, who’s purchased a nearby ranch and is prepared to bring in an ever-larger herd, larger than what the range can support over the long-term.
But she isn’t interested in the long term; she’s interested in turning a quick profit with the help of new foreman Johnny Wade (Brian Keith), who arrives at the ranch with a greenhorn (Gary Clarke as Steve).
When the cattleman’s association begins stringing wire to protect the land from overgrazing, she has her hands go on the offensive, a tactic that turns Steve against his mentor.
Meanwhile, the Virginian and Judge Garth are more than willing to help out Ben Justin, if he’ll only let them. But Ben’s a man who wants to prove he can make it on his own.
His wife Mary (Lois Nettleton) is quick to accept that help, including the gift of a horse so Will can learn how to ride.
After all, she’s eager to see husband Ben treat his son — her stepson — more as an adult, in part to strengthen their bond, in part to take some of the pressure off Ben.
That causes more problems when Ben decides his wife and son have been visiting the neighboring ranch behind his back.
Charles Bronson as Ben Justin, determined to make it on his own in Bull of the West (1972)
Lois Nettleton as Mary Justin, concerned by her husband’s fits of violence in Bull of the West (1972)
Review:
An unconvincing melding of two episodes of The Virginian that aired nearly three years apart.
The scenes featuring Brian Keith are from a Season 1 episode called Duel at Shiloh that aired in early 1962 and is basically a remake of the 1958 Western “Man Without a Star,” featuring Kirk Douglas.
The scenes featuring Bronson are from a late 1965 episode called “The Nobility of Kings.” It’s by far the better of the two. And that’s true in spite of the rattlesnake sounds you’ll hear every time Bronson’s torment sets in.
Robert Random as Will Justin, Ben’s son, eager to prove his worth in Bull of the West (1972)
James Drury as The Virginian in Bull of the West (1972)
Directed by:
Jerry Hopper & Paul Stanley
Cast:
Charles Bronson … Ben Justin
Geraldine Brooks … Georgia Price
Gary Clarke … Steve
Lee J. Cobb … Judge Garth
James Drury … Man from Virginia
Ben Johnson … Spinner
Brian Keith … Johnny Wade
DeForest Kelley … Ben Tully
George Kennedy … ‘Bear’ Suchette
Doug McClure … Trampas
Lois Nettleton … Mary Justin
Robert Random … Will Justin
Vito Scotti … Gilly
Runtime: 90 min.
aka:
Vengeance is the Spur
Hot Lead
Brian Keith as Johnny Wade, who finds a new job on Georgia Price’s ranch in Bull of the West (1972)
Gary Clarke as Steve, the young man Johnny Wade takes under his wing in Bull of the West (1972)
Memorable lines:
Ben Justin: “You know, I read in a book someplace that man can be his own king out here. As long as he owns his own spread and runs his own beef, he can walked with the nobility of kings. Mary, that’s the way it’s gonna be for you and me someday.”
Mary Justin: “If I can just get this bandage tied before you bleed to death.”
Johnny Wade to Steve, the greenhorn: “You got an awful lot of unlearning to do.”
Judge Garth: “The fences will go up, with or without your cooperation.”
Georgia Price: “You’d better put them up extra strong. Because in a few days, I’ll have 5,000 more cattle here to knock them down.”
Judge Garth: “Miss Price, I hope you won’t be that short-sighted or that foolish.”
Georgia Price: “I’m a woman, so don’t bet on it.”
Georgia Price to Johnny Wade: “I trust a man who hates better than he loves.”
Geraldine Brooks as Georgia Price, the new owner of the Walking Bute ranch in Bull of the West (1972)
Lee J. Cobb as Judge Garth, explaining the importance of controlling herd sizes in Bull of the West (1972)
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