Love Me Tender

1956

Action / Drama / Musical / Romance / Western

16
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 65% · 12 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 65% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.2/10 10 5070 5.1K

black and white american civil war

Plot summary

At the end of the Civil War, a Confederate team is ordered to rob a Union payroll train but the war ends leaving these men with their Union loot, until the Feds come looking for it.

Director

Robert D. Webb Photo
Robert D. Webb

Top cast

Robert Adler Photo
Robert Adler as Train Engineer
Barry Coe Photo
Barry Coe as Mr. Davis
William Campbell Photo
William Campbell as Brett Reno
Frank Mills Photo
Frank Mills as Train Passenger
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
731.15 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 2
1.4 GB
1920*816
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 10

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by dglink 7 / 10

Auspicious Film Debut for Young Rock and Roller

Headed by a cast that includes Richard Eagen, Debra Paget, Mildred Dunnock, Bruce Bennet, James Drury, and, oh yes, a young crooner making his film debut, Elvis Presley, "Love Me Tender" is a tidy post-Civil War western. Directed by Robert D. Webb from a screenplay by Robert Buckner, the story follows the Reno family in the period just after the War between the States. Four of the Reno brothers were Confederate soldiers, who, on the day after Lee's surrender, steal the Union payroll from a military train. When the brothers realize that the war is over, rather than deliver the cash to their Confederate superiors, they decide to keep it as spoils of war. When the three brothers reach home, they face several unexpected changes that propel the rest of the film.Without Presley as Clint, the youngest Reno brother, who stayed home with their mother, "Love Me Tender" would likely have gathered dust in the vaults of Twentieth Century Fox. Not that the film lacks merit. Ruggedly handsome Eagen is a strong lead as the eldest brother, and the story holds viewers' attention, as does solid acting from veteran actress Dunnock as the boys's mother. Another major asset is Leo Tover's luscious black and white cinematography, which captures the period in images that often merit freezing and framing. However, even before the inclusion of Presley, the film had anachronisms with Paget, whose hair, costumes, and demeanor have more to do with the mid-1950's than the post-civil-war era.While Elvis Presley is the film's major asset, he is also a major detriment to credibility. As an actor, the young rock and roll singer is quite good in the dramatic scenes; he has an easy natural quality, and the camera loves him. Unfortunately for the film, but fortunately for his fans and music history, "Love Me Tender" features several songs by Presley, which have nothing to do with the Civil War. He delivers the rock songs with his trademark hip swiveling, which sent audiences wild on the Ed Sullivan show, but might have merited strong disapproval from Ante-Bellum Southerners. Only the title tune, beautifully sung to Clint's mother and wife on the family porch, arguably fits into the film. However, without Presley and his songs and his hip swivel, "Love Me Tender" would not have received the care and visibility that it has. A mixed bag, but all on the positive side, "Love Me Tender" showcases a young actor with dramatic potential, some 1950's rock and roll hits, and an engaging western story. That's good entertainment value for 52 cents, the average cost of a movie ticket in 1956.
Reviewed by Xstal 6 / 10

The Plight of Troth...

A war that brings some fortune but a catch, after robbing the pay train it's all been scratched, a dilemma is now faced, do you put it back in place, or hide the stash, when at home, then get matched. But on return you find your brother has your bride, turns out the family were informed that you had died, now your girls wearing a ring, given to her by the king, Yankees arrive, and you've been caught off-side. Suffice to say there's lots of shooting and deceit, a song or two with shaking of some feet (amongst other things), people fall out then fall in, there's a few suffer chagrin, if you're a big fan, it must still be a treat.
Reviewed by HarryLags 7 / 10

A good Civil War western.

"Twentieth Century Fox was uncertain whether to feature Elvis in the film as a singer or as an actor. So they tried to have it both ways."This movie brings it's highs and lows. A trio of brothers fresh from a raid of a Union payroll find out that the war is over on their way to turn in the money to their General with the unit.Their commander Vance (Richard Egan) decides there is no Confederate Government to turn the cash in to. They split the dough and head home. The plot twists when the Union army decides to come after the former raiders, causing splits among the raiders and increasing the tension between the brothers. The movie is good, the acting is pretty good and the story moves along well. As far as Elvis goes, this movie proves he can act. Its a shame that we did't see him in later years in more conventional movies such as this one, its a pity Elvis never got that chance.Good movie! But then anything is good with Elvis in it!
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