The Virginian (TV Series) Nobility of Kings (1965) User Reviews

Bronson showcase

[pfors-647-501497 · 8/10 · 3 April 2013]

Intelligently scripted episode that builds to harrowing climax and hopeful finish showcases Charles Bronson, still a few years away from international super stardom. Viewers familiar with Bronson's stone-faced avenger roles may be stunned by his complicated character in "Nobility of Kings." Bronson is abrasive small rancher Ben Justin, whose belligerence covers deep-seated insecurity and fear of failure. George Kennedy, another star-in-the-making, plays a successful rancher who has no time for Justin or his problems. This episode was scored by Bernard Herrmann. The prolific composer, best known for his contributions to classic films by Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles, also had a lengthy television resume.

Down on his luck

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 2 June 2019]

This Virginian episode is an interesting character study presented by Charles Bronson whose career was pm the rise. As often as you would find Bronson on the big screen you would find him guest starring in many TV shows in the 60s. By the next decade he was an international star and his price was beyond TV series guest shots.

Bronson plays a down on his luck rancher, embittered by continual failure and the source of grief for his wife Lois Nettleton and his son by former marriage Robert Random..

Bronson has a chip on his shoulder the size of a two by four. He even imagines Nettleton having an affair with James Drury.

George Kennedy is also in this one playing a swaggering bully of another rancher. His stardom was coming soon with that Oscar he would get for Cool Hand Luke. He bullies Bronson and that makes this episode a rarity as you don't Bronson bullied.

Best scenes are with Bronson and Random. He has the kid marked down as weak and worthless and all Random wants is to earn his respect.

I'd check this one out.

Much like 2 other western movies

[pinskerkid · 5/10 · 19 January 2013]

I'm a kid at heart and never tire of watching and reading westerns. This particular made for TV western is very similar to a 1955 Western staring Kirk Douglas named "Man without a star" and another made in 1968 named "A man called Gannon" staring Anthony Franciosa. Some of the same sets were used in 2 of the 3 films. Seems odd to me. Oh, and this made for TV movie also was renamed something about a Bull and starred Charles Bronson. Although there are differences in each of the films the basic story line is the same. The movies made for theaters have the same writers and the made for TV film has completely different writers. I suppose they obtained permission to use the same basic plot for their version of the story line.