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The Kentuckian

Play trailer Poster for The Kentuckian 1955 1h 44m Western Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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14% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Upstanding widower "Big Eli" Wakefield (Burt Lancaster) decides to move from Kentucky further west to Texas. He undertakes the journey with just his young son "Little Eli" (Donald MacDonald), but en route they pick up friends like indentured servant Hannah (Dianne Foster) and schoolmarm Susie (Diana Lynn), a potential love interest. This motley crew's path is difficult, and they face many obstacles, not the least of which is nasty frontiersman Stan Bodine (Walter Matthau).
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The Kentuckian

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 03/18/2020
The footage is long and often slow, with the really high spots of action rather scattered. Go to Full Review James Morgan Sight & Sound 03/18/2020
The Kentuckian, though its plot is almost tenuous and its action slight, is a long and ambitious kind of Western. Go to Full Review Tom Milne Time Out 06/24/2006
In general the direction tends to get bogged down in not very interesting characters and relationships while neglecting to deliver the action. Go to Full Review TV Guide Staff TV Guide 03/26/2009
2.5/5
An occasionally brutal, but generally plodding western from Lancaster (his first as a director), who fails to pump much life into the anemic script, giving the cast little to do. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 03/24/2007
C
Burt Lancaster's only effort as solo director is this slow-moving, flat, so-so western. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joaquin U @Joaquin1 May 20 It’s kinda entertaining. Let’s just say Lancaster was a better actor than a director. Good cast, Walter Matthau debuting here, but wasted. The script is on the mediocre side. A few scenes ain’t half bad, but they won’t save it from being just another barely interesting western. And the slow cooking only served up a sandwich. See more Steve K @RT17752697 02/24/2025 Heart warming story about a father and his boy and their dream to reach Texas and their adventures along the way around the 1820's. See more Steve D @RT35616104 01/24/2024 Forgettable Western with a great star. See more 06/17/2020 A good 'lesson' movie for youngsters just learning about life's essential principles. The plot is fairly simple, but effective. The acting is the same. Does it stand up to timeless great movies? Nope. But put a thoughtful grandparent and a curious-minded 8-10 year old together for a weekend and it could be fuel for some interesting discussions about life, American history, slavery, opportunities and the choices people make. Not bad for a 60 year-old movie. See more 10/26/2016 Mediocre Western. Yawner. I did get a kick out of the old time dancing and awkward speaking style of Burt Lancaster. See more 05/27/2013 It would make a good slow Sunday afternoon flick, so long as the kid doesn't irritate you too much. It is certainly worth a watch just for a young Walter Matthau whipping Burt Lancaster! See more Read all reviews
The Kentuckian

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Cast & Crew

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Burt Lancaster

Director

Burt Lancaster

Elias Wakefield

Dianne Foster

Hannah

Diana Lynn

Susie

John McIntire

Zack Wakefield

Una Merkel

Sophie Wakefield

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The Kentuckian

The Kentuckian (1955) The Kentuckian (1955) The Kentuckian (1955) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Upstanding widower "Big Eli" Wakefield (Burt Lancaster) decides to move from Kentucky further west to Texas. He undertakes the journey with just his young son "Little Eli" (Donald MacDonald), but en route they pick up friends like indentured servant Hannah (Dianne Foster) and schoolmarm Susie (Diana Lynn), a potential love interest. This motley crew's path is difficult, and they face many obstacles, not the least of which is nasty frontiersman Stan Bodine (Walter Matthau).
Director
Burt Lancaster
Producer
Harold Hecht
Screenwriter
A. B. Guthrie Jr.
Production Co
Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre
Western, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 22, 1955, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 44m