I can understand why this movie was Kirk's favorite. Lonely Are the Brave can easily take a place at the top of modern cowboy movies for many reasons. It shows the variation from the old western culture to the modern lifestyle through the dialogues and the close-up shots, it also manages to criticize the governmental work. And one of its strengths is the outstanding performance by Kirk, might even be his best, plus the always good work of Walter Matthau. Yet, Lonely Are the Brave is one of the most underrated films I've seen recently, and I highly recommend it.

Kirk Douglas shines in what is apparently his favorite role. Kirk plays John W. "Jack" Burns, a VERY independent minded cowboy who hears that an old friend, Paul Bondi (Michael Kane), is in prison for his efforts to help illegal immigrants. Jack works, and he works hard, to get himself locked up in the same prison. There he appeals to Paul to make like the wind, bringing along some hacksaws to saw through the bars of their cell. But he breaks out alone, spurring the local authorities to pursue him using modern methods of communication, transportation, and surveillance.Right away this fine film struck this viewer as a time honored tale of an old fashioned man out of step with the changing times. The first we see of Jack, he's reclining in the wilderness while jets pass by overhead. He knows that he's something of a dinosaur in this current setting. And since he's far from being a hardcore criminal, our hearts do go out to him. We root for him all the while to make it to freedom, even as he's saddled with a temperamental horse named Whisky.Kirk has some mighty fine moments with both Kane, and Gena Rowlands, who plays Pauls' wife. He just pours out his heart to this people. In this viewers' humble opinion, Kirk never has been better. And he's very well supported by a rich gallery of actors: Walter Matthau as a lawman, Carroll O'Connor as a trucker, the great William Schallert as a comedy relief deputy (he may remind you of Harry Dean Stanton in "Alien", the way that he keeps saying "Right." to requests), George Kennedy as a brutish prison guard, and Karl Swenson as a "reverend" doing time. A young Bill Bixby has an uncredited bit as an airman in a helicopter. Matthau plays the type of pursuer in this type of tale who has sympathy for his quarry but who knows that he still has a job to do.There's a wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith (one of his earlier ones), and plenty of hair raising moments along the way, especially when Jack & Whisky are trying to make their way up the mountain.Played with real humor and heart, this is a delightful yarn about a man whose well developed sense of loyalty is something to admire.Eight out of 10.

Excellent movie. I had it downloaded long time a go but never watched it before. Tonight I was a bit bored and decided to watch this movie. What a treat! But how sad is the end, even if you know that the horse is not shot there, the magic of the movies puts that in your brain and you feel it is true. Other movies which "moved" me: The shooting of the wolf in "Dances with wolves" made me so angry at the shooters and so sad too that I cried, and I cry every time I watch the movie, basically I am a "victim" of the movie magic. Normally, after I watch a movie, I usually delete it to make space for more, and I have of course some movies that I do not delete and I keep them for my eternity. Well "Lonely are the brave" will not be deleted and will rejoin my favorite movie collection. And yes, at the end, I will certainly cry, but then I am not made out of wood and having my feelings so moved tells me the making of this movie was just incredibly great. My vote is not a 10 as I believe there is no perfect movie, but a 9 is well deserved. One more thing, the black and white for this movie gives so many different shades that it is also very nice. "RIP Whisky"...

has Douglas watched too many B westerns and has an uncontrollable penchant to "act out" the players, in his real time? he is not a dumb person, not particularly smart, but very sincere, and convionced that "being a man" transcends any contemporary versions.He is Wayne and Rowlands is Angie Dickinson; but Wayne was a child like man, not a childish man, so ultimately, she does not want him, even with the physical desire.Matthew is excellent as the "Sheriff", but he is not prone to acting out fantasies.../he just wants to be home at 5:00pm. he chases Douglas with helicopters, not deputies.there are many Americans today who seem to enjoy roaming around with their loaded rifles, chip on their shoulder, and "right to carry" attitude. Second Amendment! why *can't* I go to McDonald's on a Saturday with my "Betsey"? no one will get hurt! Clive Bundy has a "showdown" with the Feds..he hasn't paid them for 20 years and he has his whole posse behind him, pointing guns. Douglas similarly engages those he thinks are takin' away his freedoms.great DVD..buy it now.