Paint Your Wagon (1969)

Review by All Movie Guide
Originally the recipient of truly dreadful reviews, Paint Your Wagon has grown in stature over the years. Though few would consider the film a classic, most now agree that the vehemence of the original reviews was based more upon the film's budget and the state of cinematic musicals in general at the time than upon its actual quality. Seen today, the film's biggest fault is also one of its stronger assets -- its cast. On the plus side, Lee Marvin,Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg provide a new take on musical comedy acting due to their considerable dramatic skills. On the negative side, not one of them comes close to carrying a tune. Eastwood's "I Still See Elisa" and "I Talk to the Trees" are particularly embarrassing, and Marvin's "Wand'rin' Star" is acknowledged as a low point in musical history. The score is better served by Harve Presnell, whose dramatic chops are inferior to those of his co-stars, but whose wonderful voice makes "They Call the Wind Maria" into the film's undeniable highlight. The screenplay is also problematic; individual scenes work well, but the entire polygamy angle is unconvincing and seems an effort to make the story in tune with the then-current "let it all hang out" philosophy. However, the film does have a genuine lustiness and a brand of masculinity not often encountered in musicals. And though often poorly performed, much of the score is pure gold. Overlong and problematic, the film still has a certain fascination all its own. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide