The Intruders (1970)

Don Murray as Sam Garrison in The Intruders (1970)

John Saxon as Billy Pye in The Intruders (1970)

The James and Younger gang is making its way across Minnesota after a robbery gone bad in Northfield.

That has the good folks in Madelia on edge, and trouble was already brewing in the small town.

That’s because Marshal Sam Garrison (Don Murray) lobbied to have half-breed Billy Pye (John Saxon) paroled from prison. And once he’s free, Garrison wants to make Billy his deputy.

That has town leader Elton Dykstra so upset that he’s sent for nephew and young gun Theron Pardo (Shelly Novack) to run Garrison out of town and claim the marshal’s badge for his own.

Col. William Bodeen (Edmond O’Brien) is a staunch supporter of Garrison’s and helps him make plans to defend the town.

That’s until it becomes clear that Garrison has lost his nerve and might not be able to live up to his big reputation.

Edmond O’Brien as Col. William Bodeen in The Intruders (1970)

Anne Francis as Leora Garrison in The Intruders (1970)

Review:

Saxon gives an impassioned performance as a half-breed former inmate who can’t get a fair shake from anyone in his hometown but longtime friend Garrison.

And Murray is convincing as the once-famed lawman who isn’t as fearless as he once was because of a close brush with death.

But this isn’t a James-Younger movie, as the opening narration might lead you to believe. They prod the action as the intruders referenced in the title rather than being the focal point of the action.

Anne Francis plays Sam’s wife, who would love to see him give up his badge. And Harrison Ford has a small part as one of the townsmen prepared to defend Magelia.

According to IMDb, this made-for-TV movie was filmed in 1967, but not released until three years later.

Shelly Novack as young gun Theron Pardo with cousins Whit Dykstra (Harry Dean Stanton) and Chaunce (James Gammon)

Edward Andrews as Elton Dykstra in The Intruders (1970)

Directed by:
William A. Graham

Cast:
Don Murray … Sam Garrison
Anne Francis … Leora Garrison
Edmond O’Brien … Col. William Bodeen
John Saxon … Billy Pye
Gene Evans … Cole Younger
Edward Andrews … Elton Dykstra
Shelly Novack .. Theron Pardo
Harry Dean Stanton … Whit Dykstra
Stuart Margolin … Jesse James
Zalman King … Bob Younger
Phillip Alford … Harold Gilman
Harrison Ford … Carl
John Hoyt … Appleton
Marlene Tracy … Kate Guerrera
Ken Swofford … Pomerantz
Robert Donner … Roy Kirsh
Edward Faulkner … Bill Riley
James Gammon .. Chaunce Dykstra
Gavin MacLeod … Warden
Len Wayland … George Ganzer

Runtime: 100 min.

Gene Evans as Cole Younger in The Intruders (1970)

Stuart Margolin as Jesse James in The Intruders (1970)

Memorable lines:

Elton Dykstra, about Billy Pye being released from prison: “Thing about a wolf is that you can take it in and feed it and even call it Rover if you like. But that doesn’t make it a house pet.”

Townsman George Ganzer, upon hearing the James-Younger gang is approaching: “Marshal, how many of them are there?”
Marshal Garrison: “Oh, there ought to be enough to go around, George. First report said a dozen. Second said maybe 20. Seems like they’re breeding right on the road.”

Phillip Alford as Harold Gilman in The Intruders (1970)

Marlene Tracy as hotel manager Kate Guerrera in The Intruders (1970)

Marshal Garrison to Billy Pye: “Any fool can find a grievance, and you haven’t lost the knack.”

Billy Pye, about the town’s view of him as a half-breed: “They need a hired hand with a gun, it’s welcome home, Billy. The trouble’s over, it’s get off the sidewalk, Billy.”

Theron Pardo: “You wanna die?”
Sam Garrison: “There are worse things.”

Anne Francis as Leora Garrison in The Intruders (1970)

Don Murray as Sam Garrison in The Intruders (1970)