Mackenna's Gold

Gregory Peck in Mackenna's Gold.

Have you ever come across a movie that you saw years ago? A movie that you remember thoroughly enjoying. Would the movie still hold up today if you watched it? This was the case for me when I recently watched Mackenna's Gold. I had watched it as a kid and thought it was the greatest western movie ever.

Gregory Peck stars as a Marshall who is the only non-Indian who knows the location of a legendary canyon of gold. Omar Sharif is the outlaw who abducts him in order to force him to lead him and his gang to the ancient treasure. Along the way, they battle Indians, the Cavalry and each other.

This movie held up very well, minus the earthquake scene. This western is extremely well paced. Action is constant and people drop like flies. One bonus for me watching it this time around is that I recognized lots of familiar faces. Burgess Meredith, Eli Wallach, Edward G. Robinson and Anthony Quayle all do bit parts.

I watched this DVD with my two sons. I expected them not to like it considering they have grown up on Star Wars and Harry Potter. However, they loved it and even asked me to get more westerns for them to watch. It is always a good sign for a movie's shelf life when a new generation enjoys it.

Although the special effects are dated, the miniature sets and the blue screen effects are obvious, I still found this to be a rousing adventure film and still one of the most enjoyable westerns I have ever seen.