The Rare Breed (1966)

Maureen O’Hara is Martha and Juliet Mills is her daughter Hilary, two spirited women who arrive out West with a Hereford bull named Vindicator.

Martha’s husband dreamed of the day when the Texas plains would be covered with hardy Herefords. He died en route to America; his wife and daughter are determined to fulfill his dream.

James Stewart is Sam “Bulldog” Burnett, a rodeo champ who finds himself with the task of safely escorting a bull without horns to its new home.

Martha and Hilary insist on tagging along. Seems there’s some question as to whether Vindicator was purchased for breeding, for the dinner table or to land some new female companionship (Martha) for the man who made the purchase. They want to ensure it’s the former.

“Bulldog” finds himself growing fond of his traveling companions. But when they reach their destination, he finds competition for Martha’s affection in the form of grizzled frontiersman Alexander Bowen (Brian Keith).

In Bowen’s world, men rule the roost and there’s no place in Texas for bulls pampered in England.

Martha sets about changing the former. Vindicator will have to survive a harsh Texas winter to disprove the latter.

James Stewart as Sam ‘Bulldog’ Burnett, hired to deliver a Hereford bull to its new owner in The Rare Breed (19660

Maureen O’Hara as Martha, trying to bring a touch of civilization to Alexander Bowen’s ranch in The Rare Breed (1966)

Review:

A mixed bag of a Western. Parts of it work, but not enough parts to make it a top-notch Western. Or even one you’d be inclined to watch a second time.

The most entertaining part of the film comes late, when Stewart’s character becomes obsessed with seeing Martha’s dream become reality.

Other highlights include Mills’ spirited performance in the role of the daughter, a well filmed stampede and a bull who follows along — or comes running — when someone hums “God Save the Clean.”

But Brian Keith’s character is simply annoying and there’s not a lot of action. And with flying bullets in short supply, the cast starts throwing fists at the slightest provocation.

Juliet Mills as Hilary, trying to teach Sam Burnett how to whistle God Save the Queen in The Rare Breed (1966)

Brian Keith as Texas rancher Alexander Bowen, taking an interest in the redhead from England in The Rare Breed (1966)

Directed by:
Andrew V. McLaglen

Cast:
James Stewart … Sam “Bulldog” Burnett
Maureen O’Hara … Martha
Brian Keith … Alexander Bowen
Juliet Mills … Hilary
Don Galloway … Jamie Bowen
David Brian … Charles Ellsworth
Jack Elam … Deke Simons
Ben Johnson …Jeff Harter
Harry Carey Jr. … Mabry
Perry Lopez … Juan
Larry Domasin … Alberto
Silvia Marino … Conchita
Alan Caillou … Taylor
Gregg Palmer … Rodenbush
Barbara Werle … Gert

Runtime: 97 min.

Jack Elam as Deke Simons, attempting to rob Sam Burnett and Martha in The Rare Breed (1966)

Harry Carey Jr. as Mabry, Deke’s partner in trying to nab a bull that isn’t theirs in The Rare Breed (1966)

Memorable lines:

Charles Ellsworth to Martha Price: “I can tell from your speech that you’re from England. May I ask what has brought you to our fair shore?”
Hilary Price, her daughter: “A ship.”

Deke Simons: “Don’t start faulting what you can’t stand up to Harter just because you’re finished.”
Jeff Harter: “I’ve still got a hoot and a holler left in me.”
Simons: “Oh, sure, if somebody buys you a bottle.”

Hilary Price: “How are you getting along with Vindicator, Mr. Burnett?”
“Bulldog” Burnett: “I’m not getting along with him at all. He’s a useless piece of gristle and, besides that, he’s lying on my blanket.”
Hilary: “Vindicator is not useless. He’ll certainly improve those srubby old longhorns of yours. Why, he’s so handsome, the cows will fight to present themselves to him.”

Don Galloway as Jamie Bowen, estranged son of eccentric rancher Alexander Bowen in The Rare Breed (1966)

David Brian as Charles Ellsworth, under the impression he’s bought a bull and its owner’s companionship in The Rare Breed (1966)

Martha, when her daughter chides her for going riding with “Buldog” Burnett: “Really, Hilary, do you consider an innocent canter consorting?”
Hilary: “No, but I call a half-a-day gallop a romp.”

Alexander Bowen: “Madam, I’ve lived half my life here. And I’ll tell you, if the longhorns don’t kill him (Vindicator), then the wolves and the winter will.”

Alexander Bowen: “That women doesn’t fear a thing, does she Sam?”
“Bulldog” Burnett: “Nothing but dishonesty. And dirt.”

James Stewart as Sam Burnett, accused of trying to steal Vindicator as Martha (Maureen O’Hara) looks on in The Rare Breed (1966)

Jack Elam as Deke Simons and Sam Burnett argue while old-timer Jeff Harter (Ben Johnson) looks on in The Rare Breed (1966)

VIndicator, the Hereford bull Martha and Hilary bring from England to Texas in The Rare Breed (1966)

Maureen O’Hara as Martha and Juliet Mills as Hilary, surveying the aftermath of a cattle stampede in The Rare Breed (1966)