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The Sacketts was one of the first instances of Hollywood getting the Western look on a scale bigger than episodic television series. Before Lonesome Dove and its sequels, this miniseries combines a great story and and an awesome cast to maximum effect.

Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, and Jeff Osterhage play three brothers whose family becomes embroiled in a good old-fashioned Tennessee feud, causing the oldest brother to head out west. The younger brothers follow later, and all three get involved in gunplay with old enemies, and even old friends. But the focal point of the picture is the underrated Glenn Ford as the mysterious Tom Sunday -- one time attorney, marshal, and even murderer. He begins the film as a mentor to Orrin and Ty, but eventually time and fate pit the three against each other.

Selleck, Elliott and Osterhage make great Sacketts, and the supporting cast, including Ben Johnson, Glenn Ford, Jack Elam, Gene Evans, Paul Koslo, and others are terrfic. When TV had stopped making western television series, and the genre had just about dried up even on the big screen save the occasional Eastwood Western, The Sacketts were a welcome return to a sadly neglected genre. And the film still is a welcome return, especially now on DVD. I can't think of a much better way to spend three hours of my time. Except for riding my Bay, Old Dollar, on a warm Sunday afternoon.

Conagher ranks with the best of recent western films. Why? The movie was not filmed in a movie lot specially made for movies, like Universal Studios or Old Tucson. But rather, you could say it was filmed 'on location' in a rugged, true-to-life environment that honestly represents what it was really like in the Old West. The sets of the cabin and town and surrounding country all have that authentic realism that lend excellence to the movie. Often in the film the lighting in certain scenes appears lacking as compared to other films in the genre. But actually, this is what gives the film a special feel, a special ring of realism. The direction of the film by Rebaldo Villalobos is superb and the performances by the actors are absolutely memorable.

I believe this film is probably on of Sam Elliott's best, most memorable performances of his career, bar-none. His rendition of Conn Conagher imprints Sam Elliot on my mind for all time - he IS Conagher. It is about a tough, but gentle, honorable cowboy, who while riding the range, finds these love notes tied to tumbleweeds. He wonders about the woman who is writing the love notes, and wonders what she looks like but, he does not know that he has already met her! Conagher is a good man, who tries to live this life the right way, but trouble always seems to find him, but Conagher has a very, very, good way of taking care of the bad guys! Don't pass up the opportunity to see Conagher if you haven't seen it yet.

Catlow is directed by Sam Wanamaker, and stars Richard Crenna, Yul Brynner, and Leonard Nimoy. Catlow is a Western, featuring a marshal (Crenna) determined to bring Catlow (Brynner), a cattle rustler he was once acquainted with in the Civil War, to justice, after turning to a life of crime. His past feelings of friendship and camaraderie, and legalities prevent him from killing his old acquaintance in cold blood, so he stands determined to take him in for a fair trial. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to take the criminal in alive. A ruthless bounty hunter (Nimoy) is hot on his trail as well. Now Catlow is wanted by at least two men - one who wants him alive, and one who wants him dead. And with Catlow's deadly gun skills and a massive posse of criminals, it won't be easy for anyone hunting him to succeed.

The best thing about this movie is its three leading men - Richard Crenna as the marshal, Yul Brynner as the title outlaw, and Leonard Nimoy as a bounty hunter out to kill the title character. These actors are clearly having fun with their roles, and playing them very well. A supporting cast of unknowns actually plays all their parts quite well, too. I seriously doubt any fan of Westerns will be disappointed by the performances and the story told here. It's an entertaining film, and I give it a solid recommendation to any fan of Westerns or these actors. To see some clips from this film and other information about this release, click this link: www.louislamourdvd.com.