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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. David Harum remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like Will Rogers, you’ll probably find this comforting. If you need a plot that actually moves with a sense of purpose, you might want to look elsewhere.
It’s a 1934 movie that feels like it was filmed in a living room. It’s definitely not for the people who need their pacing to be snappy or modern.
Will Rogers is just Will Rogers. He’s got that way of talking where he pauses *just* long enough to make you think he’s forgotten what he was saying. Then he hits you with a punchline about a horse.
The whole thing feels oddly unscripted. Like they just told him to stand by a fence and talk until the sun went down. It’s charming, honestly. Kind of reminds me of the low-stakes energy in Buster's Big Chance, just with more rural gossip.
There is a lot of horse talk. A whole lot. At one point, the movie seems to forget it’s about a bank and becomes a full-blown racing drama. It’s a weird pivot, but it works because the stakes feel small and manageable.
The Deacon character is the perfect foil for Harum. He’s that guy who pretends to be pious while secretly trying to fleece you on a trade. You’ve met him at every local farmers market you’ve ever been to.
The film doesn't really have a big, crashing climax. It just sort of drifts to a stop. It’s the kind of movie you put on when you’re tired of everything being so loud and demanding.
It’s not trying to be Letty Lynton. It’s just trying to be a slice of life. And for what it is, it hits the mark—even if it misses the point sometimes. 🐎