The Misfits

THE MISFITS (PG)

D: John Huston

United Artists / Seven Arts (Frank E. Taylor)

US 🇺🇸 1961

125 mins

Drama/Western

W: Arthur Miller [based on his short story]

DP: Russell Metty

Ed: George Tomasini

Mus: Alex North

Clark Gable (Gaylord Langland), Marilyn Monroe (Roslyn Tabor), Montgomery Clift (Perce Howland), Thelma Ritter (Isabelle Steers), Eli Wallach (Guido), Kevin McCarthy (Raymond Tabor)

The final screen performances of Clark Gable & Marilyn Monroe’s respective careers comes in this melodramatic western from director John Huston, based on a screenplay by Arthur Miller.

The plot surrounds a recent divorcee who becomes romantically involved with an ageing cowboy, passing through the Nevada desert and desperately clinging to his lifestyle as his best days are far behind him.

It’s a very solemn, character & dialogue driven piece of work, with strong performances from the ensemble cast, though I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near their best work.

The film was a commercial failure upon its original release in 1961, and only gained appraisal a few years afterwards.  Personally, I think it’s a fine film, though it is very much overshadowed by the fact that its two leads passed away not long after its completion.

7/10