| The Rare Breed | |
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film poster by Reynold Brown |
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| Directed by | Andrew V. McLaglen |
| Produced by | William Alland |
| Written by | Rich Hardman |
| Starring | James Stewart Maureen O'Hara Brian Keith Juliet Mills Don Galloway Jack Elam Ben Johnson Harry Carey, Jr. |
| Music by | John Williams |
| Cinematography | William H. Clothier |
| Editing by | Russell Schoengarth |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | February 2, 1966 |
| Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Rare Breed is a 1966 American western film starring James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Juliet Mills and Ben Johnson and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. Loosely based on the life of rancher William Burgess, the film follows Martha Price's (O'Hara) quest to fulfill her deceased husband's dream of introducing Hereford cattle to the American West. The film was one of the early major productions to be scored by John Williams, who was billed as "Johnny Williams" in the opening credits.
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An expensive prize bull is bought at an auction by Charles Ellsworth (David Brian), who has come to purchase stock for the wealthy Texas rancher Alexander Bowen (Brian Keith). Sam Burnett (James Stewart) is hired to transport the bull to Bowen's ranch.
Martha Price (Maureen O'Hara), the bull's original owner, is told by daughter Hilary (Juliet Mills) about a conversation she overheard between Burnett and two men working for competing rancher John Taylor (Alan Caillou). Burnett has made a deal with Taylor to kidnap the bull. One of Taylor's men, Deke Simons (Jack Elam), gets into a fight with Burnett in the saloon. Price, witnessing the brawl, comes to trust Burnett. They and her daughter travel cross country to transport the bull.
One night while Price and Burnett are brewing coffee over the campfire, a shot knocks over the coffee pot. Burnett knows this is a signal from Taylor's men. Just before dawn, Hilary catches Burnett as he is about to hand over the bull. He denies her accusations, waking her mother to prove he was innocent. Once again, Price gives Burnett the benefit of the doubt.
Taylor's men find a fence which has been hacked through to make way for Price's wagon. They conclude that Burnett must have double-crossed them. Simons, determined to catch up with Burnett, shoots a companion and rides on after the wagon.
In a canyon, Burnett runs into Jamie Bowen (Don Galloway), Alexander's son, who has stolen a herd of his father's longhorn cattle and is running away to start his own ranch. Simons catches up and shoots a cowhand, setting off a stampede. Jamie tries to escape but falls in the path of the charging cattle.
Battered and unconscious, Jamie is carried by Burnett back to the wagon. Simons is there holding Price and her daughter hostage. Simons demands the money that Burnett was paid by Taylor for the bull. Simons also demands Price's money, but while distracted, Burnett is able to take his rifle. Simons mounts and gallops away. Burnett follows. As horses collide, Simons falls onto a sharp rock and is killed instantly.
Burnett returns with the money, but Price berates him for his dishonesty and the trouble he has caused. After a few days of travelling with Bowen's son in tow, they reach their destination, his father's ranch.
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