Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
BeSummers
Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Michelle Palmer
This is probably one of the most unique episodes ever made. In this first episode of what became one of the most memorable series' ever, we learn how one man died only to become another man - one who would bring 500 men to justice.Everything about the legendary is simply explained in this episode. Not watching this first episode can really confuse us!Actually, I believe this was a movie broken into several beginning episodes. Each episode reveals a little more. The ending leaves us with a cliffhanger to make the original viewer come back next week.5 dead
grizzledgeezer
Prior to the ambush, I was trying to figure out which of the rangers was Clayton Moore. (How can you not recognize that gravelly low baritone?) But I didn't recognize any of the voices (or faces). I was also wondering why Tonto rides Scout with a saddle. And he wears buckskins, an odd costume for an Apache.However poor Tonto's English might be, it's better than the speech of the radio Tonto -- who was probably created (like Jimmy Olsen) to give TLR someone to talk with. His pidgin English wouldn't be so annoying if he used subject pronouns rather than object pronouns. By the way, Jay Silverheels (what a wonderful name!) was actually Harold J Smith. (Really!) His stage name came from a nickname received when he played lacrosse.There are several origin stories, and the most-common -- in which Tonto is a friend from earlier years (in this case, Reid having saved Tonto's life) -- is used here. I've often wondered if this was an attempt (probably unconscious) to obscure the issue of the Tonto's and Reid's private relationship. (Friends are rarely intimate.) However, it's telling that, when the younger Tonto and Reid part, the former gives the latter a ring, which he puts on Reid's ring finger -- the /right/ one, "fortunately". But it's a symbolic marriage, nevertheless.The script is amateurish, more-appropriate for an imageless radio show. (Later shows are more complex and polished, but still sometimes include unneeded dialog intended to tell the radio listener what's going on.) Cavendish's murder of the Rangers is drawn-out and verges on the sadistic. In later episodes, beatings, knifings, and killings are only rarely directly shown.
PWNYCNY
This episode explains the origins of the Lone Ranger and the basis for the series. Without this episode, the entire series makes little sense. The Lone Ranger is more than just a crime fighter. He is a symbol, a living metaphor, for a set of values that place him on a higher plane. Moreover, the story is told in a straightforward and unambiguous manner, making it eminently easy to watch and enjoy. The acting is great and Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels are perfect for the parts. An important component is the musical track which is beautiful and powerful and perfectly compliments the story. What is surprising is that although this is the opening episode of a television series, this episode is actually a full-length movie with a strong story, a wide array of characters and sets, and impressive cinematography. This is not a cheaply made production. Also notable in the cast is Glenn Strange who plays the Ranger's main antagonist. This opening episode of the Lone Ranger saga is a great example of the western movie genre and is something that is definitely worth watching.
bainslie
This episode "Enter The Lone Ranger" is a vital episode to watch as it explains why the Lone Ranger is on a mission to bring about law and order to the Western states of America. It also clarifies why he wears a mask and a white hat. The brave Indian, Tonto, is introduced in this episode and it mentions a very interesting link between the two heroes back when they were young. Although the style of acting is dated and in black and white format it is an episode that a dad or mum could sit down and watch with the family (with, of course, a running commentary from them about how they enjoyed this series as a child and how it would be a great series for their children to watch too).