The Last Posse is a very interesting movie. It makes you think immediately of The Big Country, because Charles Bickford's.evil wealthy rancher Sampson Drune is almost identical to his Maj. Henry Terrill ( except he is actually worse). The Last Posse even gave Bickford a lower class of ranchers to hate in the Romers just like the Hennessy's in The Big Country. All of this is why, I would not be the least bit surprised if William Wyler saw this movie before casting Bickford in The Big Country. One big difference is his stepson. Jed Clayton ( John Derek), has a conscience, so spoilers ahead: after the death of Drune ( killed by Jed after Drune murders two of the Romer's and shoots Sheriff John Frazier ( Broderick Crawford)), he tells the truth about what happened ( instead of lying and becoming Drune's heir), so the long term effect on Jed will not be like Terrill's idol worship on his daughter Pat in The Big Country. Now is The Last Posse, on the level of The Big Country? Absolutely not. But it is outstanding and deserves to be better known. 9/10 stars.
Review of The Last Posse
