By 1969, the western film was in its death throes.  The genre would still peter on for a number of years later, but its popularity had faded in favour of other things, more exciting types of movies.  Those films that called back to a time when good and evil were clear-cut were no longer in favour and perhaps that is why the film is titled the way it is – you knew what you were getting into should you have chosen to watch it at the time.  Starring Robert Mitchum and George Kennedy, the film details a sheriff’s last hurrah as well as that of a man he had been chasing for many years.  It almost seems funny in a way to see how the subject matter mirror’s the genre, though it was obviously just coincidence.  What is so apparent now more than likely was not to those who saw this movie then and it is an interesting little allegory that was never meant to be and only manifested itself many years later.  Viewing it now, the film is simply just another movie and a fun look back for those that enjoy cowboys and what they represented.

Mitchum plays an aging sheriff in this picture, who receives some information about a robbery that is soon to take place by a man he once knew and who is one of the country’s most wanted criminals.  But as it is an election year, Mitchum’s character named Jim Flagg is forced into retirement.  But Flagg will not go softly into that good night as he still means to catch the fugitive named McKay and protect his town from those that will do it harm.  While it sounds like it would be a great action-drama, the film just kind of trots along when you feel as if it should gallop.  It does not preclude this film from being a good one, but it cannot seem to decide on an identity for itself.  It is an amalgamation of drama, comedy and action and yet never finds that really good balance.  It also just seems to meander along and while enjoyable, you want to see it go somewhere definitive.  Come the end of the film, it is like the Cannonball Run with every man, woman, child and dog out chasing down this train full of money.

The acting was top notch as Mitchum and Kennedy always deliver.  You know what you are getting into when you see a film with either man and some of Mitchum’s best are either when he is downright fearful or laid back and humourous, and for this picture it featured the latter.  Kennedy is always fun, even when he is trying to be serious and whenever he has a smile on his face, so do you.  If this picture had starred anyone but these two men it probably would not have ended up as good as it was.  Martin Balsam really lightened the film up with his performance as Mayor Wilker who only cares about the upcoming election and his affair with Tina Louise.  In fact, everyone worked well together and you can see an air of camaraderie between them that helps to give the performances that much more authenticity.  Also fun to see was David Carradine as the villain of the picture, a man more associated with the role of a hero.

Maybe there were a couple of weak points, namely the directionless direction for a bit, but if nothing else, the movie does entertain you from start to finish.  The performances were strong and the film looked beautiful with some great cinematography of the countryside from Harry Stradling Jr.  Burt Kennedy, responsible for directing The War Wagon and The Train Robbers does a good job but if he could have tightened the reins just little bit more, the film could have been really great.  The Good Guys and the Bad Guys is a good film and is definitely recommended if you need something to while away an afternoon.

3.5 out of 5