The Kentuckian

1955
Approved
1h 44m

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

Burt Lancaster and Dianne Foster in The Kentuckian (1955)

A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.

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Classical Western Drama Western

A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Dog
(uncredited)

Lee Erickson

Luke Lester
(uncredited)

Faro

Faro
(uncredited)

Lisa Ferraday

Gambler
(uncredited)

James Griffith

Riverboat Gambler
(uncredited)

Gil Herman

Frontiersman
(uncredited)

Director
- Burt Lancaster
Writers
- A.B. Guthrie Jr.
- Felix Holt
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The first movie directed by Burt Lancaster. Due to the unfavorable critical response he did not direct again for almost 20 years, until The Midnight Man (1974).

Goofs
At the beginning, Eli is sitting near a campfire. We can clearly see its flames, showing it is burning. When Eli stands up, the flames have disappeared, and we haven't see him extinguishing the fire.

Quotes
Big Eli Wakefield: The way to start off new is to shuck off what's old.

Connections
Featured in Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough (1997)

Soundtracks
Possum Up a Gum Tree
(uncredited)
Traditional folk song
Performed by Diana Lynn, John McIntire, Una Merkel, and Burt Lancaster
[The song Susie, Zack, Sophie and Big Eli eventually sing when Little Eli requests Susie play it on the spinet]

User reviews44

Review

Featured review

9/10

For Burt Fans, Isn't everyone?

Lancaster's only directing role. A decent western with a twist or two, especially at the ending showdown, which features 10 dramatic seconds of feat that only Lancaster could make suspenseful.

How does a man defeat an armed enemy while standing opposite a 40 yard wide stream, and with no gun? The daring Lancaster meets this challenge with a surprising, brash dash. Check it out.