The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

Today Matt & Todd ride into town with the 1981 Western‑adventure The Legend of the Lone Ranger, directed by William A. Fraker.

This movie famously flopped at the box office; partly because of its flaws, but just as much because of the deeply questionable studio decisions surrounding its production. Among them:

• They alienated one of the original Lone Ranger actors.

• They cast someone who simply “looked good in the mask.”

• They then dubbed him entirely.

• They tinkered with the character’s legacy.

• They gave a such a silly explanation for the Ranger’s iconic silver bullets.

Add all that up and you’d expect a disaster……but what you actually get is a pretty fun Western adventure.

Not perfect: there’s some cheese, some studio weirdness, and some choices that don't quite work; but what’s on screen is still a rollicking, pulpy good time in the spirit of The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. or The Mummy (1999). There’s some out‑of‑place balladeering, it takes a while for the masked man to actually mask up, and it’s definitely not the definitive telling of the Lone Ranger mythos. But taken on its own terms, it’s a lively, earnest, slightly goofy Western that probably got hit harder by critics than it deserved. Probably fair to say that even in its best life it didn't live up to the hype meant to surround it. It was a bust for sure.

Is it “good” though? We think so, but that’s for you to decide.

The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) stars:

• Klinton Spilsbury (James Keach, voice) as John Reid / The Lone Ranger

• Michael Horse as Tonto

• Christopher Lloyd as Maj. Bartholomew “Butch” Cavendish

• Whit Bissell Award Winner: Matt Clark as Sheriff Wiatt

• Juanin Clay as Amy Striker

• Whit Bissell Award Winner: Jason Robards as Ulysses S. Grant

• John Bennett Perry as Ranger Captain Dan Reid

• Merle Haggard as the Balladeer

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