Western
Mexico,United States of America
Chisum is a Western film released in 1970, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and starring John Wayne as John Chisum. The movie takes place in New Mexico during the late 1870s, where Chisum is a wealthy cattle baron who owns vast amounts of land and cattle in the area, including the largest herd in the territory. He is also a shrewd businessman who has amassed great wealth through his ranching and trading interests.
The story revolves around the Lincoln County land war, a historical conflict between two factions that started when a group of English businessmen arrived in town and began buying up land and monopolizing the local businesses. Chisum and his allies, including Billy the Kid (Geoffrey Deuel) and Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett), refuse to be pushed out and refused to be intimidated by the Englishmen's hired guns led by Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) and a corrupt Sheriff Brady (Bruce Cabot).
The English businessmen attempt to use the legal system to edge Chisum and his allies out of the county, but Chisum is not one to back down easily. He rallies his forces and mounts a counteroffensive against Murphy and Brady, soon attracting national attention to the bloody fight and forcing the territorial governor (Andrew Prine) to intervene.
Chisum and his allies eventually win the land war, but at a great cost. Billy the Kid is killed by Pat Garrett, who is then himself gunned down by Murphy. With his friend and partner dead, Chisum laments the violence and senseless killing that took place during the struggle, but he also recognizes the stubborn courage and determination of those who stood with him for a just cause. The movie ends with Chisum taking a long, hard look at the land he has fought so hard to keep, reflecting on what it all means and what it has cost.
