The Last Hunt
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| The Last Hunt | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Richard Brooks |
| Produced by | Dore Schary |
| Written by | Richard Brooks |
| Based on | novel by Milton Lott |
| Starring | Robert Taylor Stewart Granger |
| Music by | Daniele Amfitheatrof |
| Cinematography | Russell Harlan |
| Edited by | Ben Lewis |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date | |
Running time | 108 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,121,000[1] |
| Box office | $2,983,000[1] |
The Last Hunt is a 1956 MGMwestern film directed by Richard Brooks and produced by Dore Schary. The screenplay was by Richard Brooks from the novel The Last Hunt, by Milton Lott. The music score was by Daniele Amfitheatrof and the cinematography by Russell Harlan.
The film stars Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger, with Lloyd Nolan, Debra Paget and Russ Tamblyn.
Plot[edit]
Sandy McKenzie (Stewart Granger) sets out on his last hunt with his new partner, the obsessive Charles Gilson (Robert Taylor). While McKenzie has grown tired of buffalo hunting, Gilson derives a pleasure from his 'stands' – killing an entire herd of buffalo at one time. When Gilson chases down and kills an Indian raiding party, he takes an Indian woman and her child captive. The presence of the native woman causes tension and Gilson becomes increasingly paranoid and deranged, leading to a stand-off between the two former partners.
In the final scene, McKenzie and the woman emerge from shelter to find that Gilson, though wearing a buffalo hide as protection from the cold, has frozen to death during the night, while waiting to ambush them.[2]
Original novel[edit]
The New York Times said 'except for A.B. Guthrie's 'The Big Sky' and 'The Way West' I can think of no novel about the Old West published within the last fifteen years as good as 'The Last Hunt,' by Milton Lott. This is the real thing, a gritty, tough, exciting story reeking with the pungent smells of dead buffalo and of dirty men.'[3]W.R. Burnett called it an 'undeniably able and interesting book.'[4]
Development[edit]
MGM bought the film rights and announced it as a vehicle for Stewart Granger in February 1955. 'It's real Americana,' said the star.[5] Richard Brooks was assigned the job of adapting and directing.[6] The film was the first of only three westerns directed by Brooks, and was his first film following the critically acclaimed Blackboard Jungle (1955).
In March Robert Taylor was announced as co-star.[7] Russ Tamblyn was then given the lead support part as a half Indian.[8]
Lloyd Nolan was also cast - his first film role in over a year and a half, during which time he had played The Caine Mutiny Court Martial on stage.[9]Anne Bancroft was cast as the Indian girl.[10]
Production[edit]
Eighty percent of the movie was shot on location over a seven-week period. This took place at the Badlands National Park and Custer State Park in South Dakota during the then-annual 'thinning' of the buffalo herd.[11]
Actual footage of buffalo being shot and killed (by government marksmen) was used for the film. Harvey Lancaster of Custer was the main marksman for the filming.
The story takes place during the winter but was actually filmed during the scorching summer months in Custer State Park. When temperatures reached triple digits, Stewart Granger, whose costume consisted of full winter clothing, passed out from heat exhaustion and the crew had to cut away his clothes to revive him.
Granger and director Brooks were reportedly not fond of one another, especially after Brooks married Granger's ex-wife, Jean Simmons.
After three weeks of filming, Anne Bancroft was injured during filming after falling from a horse. She was replaced by Debra Paget.[12][13]
During filming Dore Schary announced Taylor and Granger would be reteamed in another western, The Return of Johnny Burro with Granger playing a villain and Taylor a hero.[14] However the film was not made.
Reception[edit]
Box office[edit]
The film earned $1,750,000 in North American rental during its first year of release.[15] It recorded admissions of 1,201,326 in France.[16]
According to MGM records, the film earned $1,604,000 in the US and Canada and $1,379,000 overseas, resulting in a loss of $323,000.[1]
'The public couldn't stand it,' said Brooks. 'In England most of the scenes with the buffalo were cut out. In the States they couldn't stand it because of their own guilt.. I learnt something very valuable: when you deal with a subject that is traditional, don't deny it to the public.. If you want to do the real thing, the way the West really was, do it on a small budget and don't expect any miracles.'[17]
Cast[edit]
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Robert Taylor | Charles Gilson |
| Stewart Granger | Sandy McKenzie |
| Debra Paget | Indian Girl |
| Lloyd Nolan | Woodfoot |
| Russ Tamblyn | Jimmy |
| Constance Ford | Peg |
| Joe De Santis | Ed Black |
Comic book adaption[edit]
- DellFour Color #678 (February 1956)[18][19]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abc'The Eddie Mannix Ledger’, Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study, Los Angeles
- ^Film Score Monthly - The Last Hunt. Accessed 21 January 2016
- ^Books of The TimesBy ORVILLE PRESCOTT. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 13 Oct 1954: 29.
- ^Struggle Unto Death: THE LAST HUNT. By Milton Lott. 399 pp. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. $3.95.By W.R. BURNETT. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 31 Oct 1954: BR4.
- ^Stewart Granger to Do Film on Buffalo Hunting in '70sHopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 11 Feb 1955: a10.
- ^FOX APPROPRIATES $1,000,000 FOR TV: Studio Will Convert Plant to New Medium Films -- Some Space Already LeasedBy THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 12 Feb 1955: 10.
- ^METRO SCHEDULES FILM ABOUT BISON: Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger Will Be Teamed for 'The Last Hunt'By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 26 Mar 1955: 12.
- ^Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds to Co-Star in 'Tender Trap'Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 09 Apr 1955: 12.
- ^Nolan Shuns Hero Movie Role; So Star with Taylor, GrangerHopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 29 Apr 1955: a6.
- ^Lucille Ball, Arnaz Plan Stage MusicalHopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 11 July 1955: b10.
- ^HOLLYWOOD BULLETINS: M-G-M Prepares to Invade the Buffalo Country -- Busy Studio -- Other ItemsBy WILLIAM H. BROWNELL Jr.HOLLYWOOD. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 12 June 1955: X5.
- ^Moreno Quits Natives; Paget Now in 'Last Hunt'; Clift Eyed for TolstoySchallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 20 Aug 1955: 13.
- ^DEVIL'S DISCIPLE' PLANNED AS FILM: Hecht-Lancaster Arranging With Pascal Estate to Do Shaw's Great ComedyBy THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 20 Aug 1955: 20.
- ^Drama: 'Johnny Burro' to Reteam Taylor, Granger; Korda to Do 'Burlington Bertie'Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 13 Oct 1955: B15.
- ^'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1956', Variety Weekly, January 2, 1957
- ^Box office information for Stewart Granger films in France at Box Office Story
- ^Mayersberg, Paul (1967). Hollywood, the haunted house. Allen Lane, Penguin P. p. 109.
- ^'Dell Four Color #678'. Grand Comics Database.
- ^Dell Four Color #678 at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
External links[edit]
- The Last Hunt on IMDb
- Review at Variety
- The Last Hunt at TCMDB
| 'Kraven's Last Hunt' | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Cover of The Amazing Spider-Man 294 (Nov 1987) Art by Mike Zeck. | |||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||
| Publication date | October – November 1987 | ||
| Genre | |||
| |||
| Main character(s) | Spider-Man Kraven the Hunter Vermin | ||
| Creative team | |||
| Writer(s) | J. M. DeMatteis | ||
| Penciller(s) | Mike Zeck | ||
| Inker(s) | Bob McLeod | ||
| Letterer(s) | Rick Parker | ||
| Colorist(s) | Bob Sharen Janet Jackson Mike Zeck | ||
| Premiere Hardcover | ISBN0-7851-2330-X | ||
'Kraven's Last Hunt' (also known as 'Fearful Symmetry') is a comic book storyline by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck published in 1987, featuring the final battle between Marvel Comics characters Kraven the Hunter and Spider-Man.
Considered one of the greatest Spider-Man stories of all time, the story was originally published in Web of Spider-Man #31-32, The Amazing Spider-Man #293-294, and The Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132.
Development[edit]
In the mid-1980s, John Marc DeMatteis proposed a Wonder Manlimited series involving the latter's half-brother, Grim Reaper, in which Wonder Man is buried and ultimately crawls out of the grave. Tom DeFalco turned down the proposal.[1] Years later, DeMatteis reworked the scene of a hero coming out of the grave into a Batman story exploring what would happen if the Joker actually killed Batman. According to DeMatteis, it would effectively turn the Joker 'sane'. When DeMatteis pitched the story to DC, however, it was rejected because it happened to be somewhat similar to Batman: The Killing Joke, another Batman story that was in development at the time.[2] DeMatteis then reworked the story to use Hugo Strange in place of the Joker, but this, too, was rejected.[3] Finally, DeMatteis pitched the idea again to Marvel, this time with Spider-Man and a new villain he came up with specifically for the story. Marvel editorial accepted the revised proposal.[2]
Several major elements were added to the story as DeMatteis began writing it. Marvel's plans to marry Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson prompted DeMatteis to make their marriage the emotional focus of the story. The idea of substituting Kraven the Hunter for the new villain came to DeMatteis after a chance look at Kraven's entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. After Mike Zeck was brought on as penciler for 'Kraven's Last Hunt', DeMatteis decided it would be a good idea to use a character he and Zeck had created together, Vermin.[2]
The story was originally intended to run entirely in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man, but editor Jim Salicrup decided to publish it as a crossover through all three Spider-Man titles, arguing that the impact of Spider-Man being killed would be lost if there were other Spider-Man stories running at the same time.[2] While working on the story, DeMatteis commented, 'I'm not looking beyond those six issues. The storyline really does not enter too heavily into the continuity of the other books. In fact, I almost think you could take these issues and put them on their own as a mini-series or graphic novel.'[1]
Because the plot had been completely written by the time Zeck started work on 'Kraven's Last Hunt', he drew all six covers for the story before doing any of the interior art. Zeck remarked that the iconic 'Resurrection' cover for part 4 (Web of Spider-Man #32) 'was the absolute no-brainer of the six covers, and I completed that piece first. If an issue has a scene with the title hero rising from his own grave, it’s like receiving the number-one gift on your Christmas list! Anyone spending even one second mulling over a cover idea for that issue would have been in the wrong business. The other covers flowed from that one.'[2]
In 1994, DC published DeMatteis' Batman/Joker version of the story as 'Going Sane' in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #65-68.
Story[edit]
Kraven hunts down Spider-Man, defeats him, and seemingly shoots him dead. Kraven then buries him, and donning a copy of Spider-Man's costume, seeks to prove himself superior at his adversary's former activities.
He roams New York, brutally attacking criminals. The culmination of these activities is Kraven's successful unarmed capture of Vermin, whom Spider-Man needed the help of Captain America to defeat. After two weeks, Spider-Man revives from the effects of the tranquilizer dart Kraven shot him with, and digs his way out of the grave. When Spider-Man confronts Kraven, the hunter does not fight back, considering himself the victor and his final point made.
Kraven then releases Vermin, who attacks Spider-Man, thinking him to be the one who so brutally beat him before. Vermin is able to defeat Spider-Man, but Kraven intervenes before Vermin can kill him. He allows Vermin to go free, and tells Spider-Man he can pursue him if he desires, but that Kraven's hunting days have ended. While Spider-Man goes after Vermin, Kraven retires to his home, reminiscing about his past and the peace he now feels, and commits suicide with a rifle. He leaves a confession of his burying and impersonating Spider-Man for the police to find, complete with photographic proof. Spider-Man catches up with Vermin and lures him above ground, where sensory overload renders him helpless. He turns Vermin over to the police and goes home to his wife.
Themes[edit]
Writer J. M. DeMatteis explained that the story was intended to explore Spider-Man's character and how others perceive him:
What [Kraven] plans to do is kill Spider-Man and then take his place - prove that he can be a better Spider-Man than Spider-Man. What he becomes, of course, is not Spider-Man, but what he perceives Spider-Man to be. In a sense, what Kraven becomes is something akin to Frank Miller's Dark Knight character. [..] One of the things about Peter Parker, with Spider-Man, is that he doesn't just put on a mask and become 'the Spider-Man.' He doesn't become transformed into this dark creature of the night. No matter what costume he has, no matter what he does, Peter Parker is always a very human, passionate, caring guy. Kraven doesn't know that. And that is the major difference here.[1]
The story is told in between quotations from William Blake's poem 'The Tyger', with the word 'Tyger' replaced by 'Spyder'.
Related stories[edit]
Soul of the Hunter[edit]
A sequel to 'Kraven's Last Hunt' was published in August 1992 as a 48-page prestige formatgraphic novel titled Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the Hunter (ISBN0-87135-942-1), again written by J.M. DeMatteis, drawn by Mike Zeck, and inked by Bob McLeod. 'Soul of the Hunter' was done as a response to a widespread misinterpretation of the suicide scene in chapter 5 of 'Kraven's Last Hunt'. DeMatteis recalled, 'Tom [DeFalco] had gotten a bunch of letters from people saying, 'Oh, you’re glorifying suicide!' Normally I would dismiss that as the usual rantings, except it really disturbed me that people would think that the purpose of that story was to glorify suicide. That is something I would never do. That is not my view of life or the universe.'[2]
In this story, Spider-Man is confronted by Kraven's ghost. Unsure what to make of this apparition, Spider-Man goes to Kraven's grave, where he sees an apparition that appears to be Death. Death tells Spider-Man that he and Kraven share a spiritual bond, and that Kraven's soul cannot find the peace it craves because of Kraven's suicide. Spider-Man is then forced to confront Kraven's body from the grave. Defeating it frees Kraven's soul and allows it to find its final rest.
What If? and What The--?![edit]
In (vol. 2) #17 (September 1990) of the Marvel alternative history title What If?, Kraven uses real bullets instead of tranquilizers, thus killing Spider-Man and assuming his place. Eventually, at the request of Mary Jane, Daredevil, Captain America, and the Human Torch all confront Kraven, who eventually returns to Spider-Man's grave, digs him up, and though not directly shown, it is implied he consumes portions of Peter's body to gain his strength. Afterward, Mary Jane holds a press conference to attempt to clear Peter's name of Kraven's time as Spider-Man, but is unsuccessful in doing so because J. Jonah Jameson intervenes and convinces people to believe that all superheroes are unreliable. The issue ends on the note that Mary Jane has a lot of work ahead of her.
An issue of Marvel's satire series What The--?! spoofed 'Kraven's Last Hunt' as 'Raven's Last Hunt.' The spoof featured the character's animal likeness, Raven the Hunter, as well as that of Spider-Man, Spider-Ham.
Kraven's First Hunt and Grim Hunt[edit]
Kraven's First Hunt is the title of two unconnected stories: a remake of The Amazing Spider-Man #15 (which includes Kraven's first appearance), in Sensational Spider-Man Annual '96 by J.M. DeMatteis; and the debut of Kraven's teenage daughter, Ana Tatiana Kravinoff, in The Amazing Spider-Man #565-567, who attempts to capture Spider-Man in a similar manner to Kraven in 'Kraven's Last Hunt'.[4] This leads into the story Grim Hunt, where Kraven's family attempt to resurrect him by sacrificing Spider-Man in an elaborate ritual, only for the ritual to be contaminated when Spider-Man's clone Kaine sacrifices himself to save Peter, resulting in Kraven being reborn as an immortal 'unlife' who can only die by Spider-Man's hand.
Spider-Man: Life Story[edit]
Spider-Man: Life Story is an alternate continuity in which the characters naturally age after Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man in 1962. In this continuity, Kraven hunts down Spider-Man in the 1980s during the midst of the Cold War shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer. Peter manages to escape the grave Kraven buried him in by bonding with the Venom symbiote, leading him to almost kill Kraven before Mary Jane separates it from him. The traumatic event causes Mary Jane to leave Peter. Kraven is satisfied with Spider-Man becoming the new hunter and prepares to kill himself, but the Venom symbiote bonds with him.[5]
Reception[edit]
'Kraven's Last Hunt' has received critical acclaim and is considered one of the greatest Spider-Man stories ever written. In 2012, 'Kraven's Last Hunt' was voted by readers of Comic Book Resources as the greatest Spider-Man story ever told. In his commentary on the results, Brian Cronin described the story as 'a breathtaking piece of work that inspired countless imitations by other writers over the years.'[6] Elsewhere, Cronin noted that by publishing the story across all three monthly Spider-Man titles, Marvel 'gave the story a bit more of an 'event' feel'.[3]
Writing for magazine Complex, Jason Serafino ranked 'Kraven's Last Hunt' the fifth best Spider-Man story of all time. According to Serafino, 'Kraven’s Last Hunt' features the usual comic action, but it also blends aspects from classic literature and recurring themes in order to present a deeper, more complicated narrative. It routinely quotes William Blake’s poem 'The Tyger,' and Mike Zeck’s art fills the book with gritty photorealism. This one's for a more sophisticated audience.'[7]
Comic Book Revolution ranked 'Kraven's Last Hunt' #3 on a list of the top ten greatest Spider-Man stories, praising the story for its portrayal of both Kraven and the early stage of Peter/Mary Jane marriage. '[E]ven though ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt’ is a Kraven and Spider-Man story there are a lot of great moments that explore Peter and MJ’s relationship. As this story takes place early on in the marriage we get to see how MJ deals with Peter’s disappearance and how she would react if Peter ever died in action. It adds extra layers to marriage and makes the end of the story where Peter goes back to MJ to recover that much better.'[8]
IGN Comics ranked 'Kraven's Last Hunt' the #6 on a list of the 25 greatest Spider-Man Stories, noting that it 'is one of the most memorable Spider-Man stories of all time, without a doubt.'[9]
Collected editions[edit]
Metal drifts. Kraven's Last Hunt has been collected as a hardcover and a trade paperback over the years. A new Marvel Premiere hardcover edition of this story was released in March 2007 (ISBN0-7851-2330-X).
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The hardcover graphic novel was re-colored by Mike Zeck, Ian Tetrault and Phil Zimmerman.
Kraven's First Hunt was collected in a hardcover entitled Spider-Man: Kraven's First Hunt (ISBN0785132163).
In other media[edit]
Film[edit]
- On October 9, 2018, Richard Wenk revealed that Kraven the Hunter's proposed stand-alone film will draw inspirations from Kraven's Last Hunt, and that the film would include Spider-Man.[10]
- Spider-Man: Far From Home actor Tom Holland and director Jon Watts have shown an interest in including Kraven in a sequel.
Prose novel[edit]
A novelised adaption of Kraven's Last Hunt was released in October 2014 as part of Marvel Prose Novel series, adapted from the original issues and expanded upon by Neil Kleid. In this adaptation, Peter and Mary Jane are not married, due to the changes in continuity that resulted from the One More Day story arc.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abcSalicrup, Jim; Zimmerman, Dwight Jon (November 1986). 'J. Marc DeMatteis (part 3)'. Comics Interview (40). Fictioneer Books. pp. 6–21.
- ^ abcdefJohnson, Dan (August 2009). 'In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt'. Back Issue!. TwoMorrows Publishing (35): 3–9.
- ^ abBrian Cronin (July 30, 2009). 'Comic Book Legends Revealed #218'. Comic Book Resources.
- ^Renaud, Jeffrey (May 31, 2008). 'Got Kraven? Guggenheim Re-imagines the Hunter'. Comic Book Resources.
- ^'Spider-Man: Life Story #3'
- ^Brian Cronin (May 4, 2013). '50 Greatest Spider-Man Stories Master List'. Comic Book Resources.
- ^Jason Serafino (August 8, 2011). 'The Top 25 Spider-Man Stories of All Time'. Complex.
- ^Kevin (July 16, 2012). 'Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Stories'. Comic Book Revolution.
- ^Joey Esposito (June 19, 2012). 'The 25 Greatest Spider-Man Stories'. IGN.
- ^Cavanaugh, Patrick (October 9, 2018). ''Kraven the Hunter' Movie will Include Spider-Man, Draw Inspiration From 'Last Hunt''. ComicBook. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
External links[edit]
- Kraven's Last Hunt at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Kraven's Last Hunt on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comicswiki