chuck-reilly Director Joseph Kane made a career out of filming "B" Westerns, usually with John Wayne as his lead actor. His 1949 classic "Brimstone" is probably one of his best works, although it and most of his other films are virtually forgotten now. Walter Brennan is the title character and fire and "Brimstone" are what he's all about. As several other reviewers have noted, Brennan mostly repeats his Ike Clanton portrayal from "My Darling Clementine" with a few extra doses of nastiness. He's on screen throughout the movie and carries it off like the true professional he was. Other notables in the cast include Lorna Gray, Jim Davis, James Brown (from the old "Rin Tin Tin" TV series) and Rod Cameron in the lead. He's the "good guy" but Brennan and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams steal the show effortlessly. Williams was in countless movies as Errol Flynn's sidekick alongside his partner Alan Hale Sr. Davis made a name for himself later on "Dallas" in the 1970s. As for Walter Brennan, he's the only man in history to win three Best Supporting Actor Oscars. He could play nice friendly grandfathers and switch over to psychopathic murderers without an acting class in between. For those who only remember Brennan from his days as old Amos McCoy on television, "Brimstone" will give them a much better appreciation of this man's talent and acting virtuosity. He could play one mean dude.

krorie Basically, this Republic western from the late 1940's is Walter Brennan all the way with admirable support from two of his sons in the film, Jim Davis and Jack Lambert. The so-called star of the show, Rod Cameron, is only so-so and the rest of the cast mainly plod through their lines without much inspiration; this includes the likes of Forrest Tucker, Jack Holt, and "Big Boy" Williams, three screen stalwarts who usually did much better in the acting department. Walter Brennan as the title character, Brimstone, reprises his Old Man Clanton role from "My Darling Clementine," which he parodied twenty years later (still an old man) in the magnificent "Support Your Local Sheriff!" Jack Lambert as the dullard son, Luke (reprised by Bruce Dern in "Support Your Local Sheriff!"), has one of the best lines in the film. Pop Brimstone uses the expression, "...Just as sure as the world is round." Surprised by his dad's revelation, Luke blurts out, "Round?" Later, Luke is still puzzled and tries to convince his dad otherwise. "I've been thinking, Pop. The world can't be round...cause if it was, the people down in China would be standing on their heads." Luke comments while distorting his face and body to indicate the predicament of those living on the bottom of the earth. Why Jack Lambert never received his just deserts for his acting talents remains a mystery.The story is a bit lopsided and in places seems made-up as the film progresses. Generally, it's about the Courteen family of ranchers led by the old man who refuses to accept the end of the open range. He continues to fight a war against homesteaders, nesters, squatters, and the like by robbing stagecoaches of loot being transported for the interlopers. Suddenly, a mysterious stranger appears on the scene to begin robbing the robbers. The mysterious stranger teams up with the local sheriff to ferret out the real thieves. In the process he becomes involved in a split within the Courteen family concerning the youngest son, Bud (James Brown), in love with a nester, Molly Bannister (Adrian Booth). Bud finds himself in trouble with the law and with his own father. Unraveling the twisted plot is not easy but by the end of the show a satisfactory resolution takes place with a few surprises along the way.Keeping with its reputation for delivering plenty of action, Republic makes sure there are fisticuffs and chases. The studio would possibly have been better off shooting "Brimstone" in black and white. The color leaves much to be desired with a few tinted black and white inserts. This may have been a bigger budget film for Republic, but cost cutting is still obvious with rear projections and backdrops clearly visible in several "outdoor" scenes. "Brimstone" is still a pleasing shoot-'em-up for fans of the genre.

Alonzo Church This is a Republic Studios shot at an A picture. The problem is that it is still Republic, after all. The film is in color, but it's "Trucolor", which is a two color process that makes the great outdoors look very odd. (The movie was clearly shot in the winter -- which makes the fact that the process really does not show green less of a liability. The blue shows up as a very cold blue) And when it is time for a big sweeping scene that's beyond this film's budget, the movie suddenly changes to black and white for a minute.But the reason for watching is seeing Walter Brennan in full-bore villain mode. And he plays the character as that mean old evil reprobate we all know in our lives, and he is scary good at it. The character resembles his villain in "My Darling Clementine", but he has more film time to be just plain awful, and he makes the most of it. It is bravura acting, but it is not the least hammy or corny. The man won his Academy Awards for a reason.Plot? Stranger with unclear motives takes on a corrupt town. No surprises on how this develops, though one thinks the Walter Brennan character in real life would have made prompt mincemeat of the stalwart hero, and purchased himself a few more local politicians.

larryblanks This is one of the B Western films that has everything, great stars, great plot, surprises, good guys, bad guys, etc.Brennen does an excellent job as Brimstone, a grizley old man that is bad to the bone and expects his moron sons to be just as bad. The exception being James Brown.Rod Cameron plays a great part but in my opinion, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams steals the show."Gracious, I always talk Spanish when I'm eatin', makes the food taste better"Watch it, tape it and watch it again. You'll always find some hidden part or line that'll connect for you.