AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Lawbolisted Powerful

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

JohnHowardReid All the acting in this South African attempt at a Hollywood Western is certainly effective. And even the South African backgrounds here have a welcome tinge of color that is certainly reminiscent of the Old West.Vincent Price enjoys a high old time as a prospector who has struck it rich and he is most ably supported by the really lovely Diana Avarson who made only a few films -- including this one set and photographed in South Africa -- even though she actually lived in Hollywood!The rest of the players -- namely the outlaws who stumble upon Price's secluded cabin also deliver effective performances.Robert D. Webb's direction is definitely a cut above his usual standard and he makes excellent use of South African locations that could well pass for the real Wide West itself!

Wizard-8 Although "The Jackals" is set in South Africa during the gold rush era, what will really strike viewers is how American most of it feels. The locations resemble American deserts, and the story and characters feel right out of an American cowboy movie. Only the occasional view of wildlife and native people break the illusion this is an American western. Anyway, I though the movie was a disappointment. It's cheap- looking at times, very slow, and directed in a style that severely lacks passion of some kind during key moments (like action sequences). Vincent Price gives a hammy performance, though his scenes all the same give some life to the movie. There is also a bizarre musical score that sounds WAY out of place for this type of movie. I would only recommend the movie for viewers who are really curious about what a western made by South Africans would look like, and even they might be squirming in their seats at times.

wes-connors In rugged South Africa, scavengers arrive from a US-styled western. The group's laconic leader is tall Robert Gunner (as Roger "Stretch" Hawkins). Mr. Gunner has a great name for westerns. He and his men find local blonde Diana Ivarson (as Wilhemina "Willie" Decker) attractive. She has a natural sway in her hips. Gunner kisses Ms. Ivarson roughly and you know they are falling in love. Her grandfather is prospector Vincent Price (as Oupa Decker). He is amusing. This is an anachronistic and unnecessary re-make of "Yellow Sky" (1948), which was an adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" (1623).*** The Jackals (11/67) Robert D. Webb ~ Robert Gunner, Diana Ivarson, Vincent Price, Patrick Mynhardt

John Seal In what is probably the only entry in the category of 'voortrekker' westerns, Vincent Price plays a gold miner whose haul is the target of five bank robbers. Love interest is provided by the oddly effective Diana Ivarson (who apparently never made another film) as Price's granddaughter. It's all enjoyable if somewhat disconcerting due to the British and Afrikaaner accents of the leading players who are also decked out in typical 'western' garb. A fun diversion.