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4.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Jaws of Justice remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you enjoy 1930s westerns that don't take themselves too seriously, you’ll probably find something to like here. It's short, it's punchy, and it feels like it was filmed in an afternoon. If you need complex character arcs or modern pacing, stay far away.
There is something inherently comforting about watching a guy named Boone Jackson try to blow up a dam to get some gold. He’s the kind of villain who clearly hasn't thought his plan all the way through, but who cares?
The real star here is obviously Kazan the Wonder Dog. I’m not sure if he actually understands the plot, but he runs through scenes with more conviction than most of the actors. Watching him navigate the set is genuinely charming.
There’s a moment where the sergeant solves the cryptogram that feels like it lasts for an eternity. The dialogue is so stiff it’s almost funny. It reminds me a bit of the simplicity in The Secret of the Pueblo, though with significantly more dynamite.
The scene where they discover the location of the gold feels oddly empty. It’s just a couple of guys standing in a field, squinting at a piece of paper. You can tell they were trying to save money on extras, but it works in a weird, stripped-down way.
I caught myself getting distracted by the horses more than once. Starlight the Horse has a better screen presence than half the cast. Seriously, the way that horse stands around while the humans argue is just top-tier acting.
It’s not a masterpiece, and it doesn't try to be. It feels a lot like Buster's Narrow Escape in how it just wants to get from the opening scuffle to the final showdown without any extra fluff.
The pacing is a bit of a mess, but it’s a *fun* mess. Sometimes you just want to see a dog save the day and a villain get his comeuppance. 🐕