The last of BONANZA's 430 episodes, "The Hunter" was scripted and directed (on the run) by Michael Landon, now 36 and already beginning to gray, with Lorne Greene making only a token appearance at the beginning. Tom Skerritt is effectively cast as escaped madman Bill Tanner, driven by an uncontrollable urge to kill by tracking each victim the way he did during the war, announcing his presence by eerily whistling "Frere Jacques." Joe Cartwright befriends Tanner by firelight, but by the next morning finds himself without food, water, or horse, given a four hour head start before Tanner begins to stalk his prey. The pacing never flags as both men are slowed by injuries while innocent bystanders are doomed, a rather dark and unusual end for such an upbeat and whimsical Western series.
4 Reviews
The Most Dangerous game
bkoganbing26 May 2020
This last episode of Bonanza is yet another version of The Most Dangerous Game
On a trip Michael Landon shares hs campfire and food with Tom Skerritt whio says he's a hunter.
Little Joe like most doesn't think highly of bounty hunters. But when he wakes up and finds no horse, gun or supplies Skerritt from a distance announces he hunts men for the sport of it.
Skerritt is a truly evil genius and plays it mad to the max. His end was poetic if a bit unrealistic.
Good episode for Bonanza to conclude.
Little Joe like most doesn't think highly of bounty hunters. But when he wakes up and finds no horse, gun or supplies Skerritt from a distance announces he hunts men for the sport of it.
Skerritt is a truly evil genius and plays it mad to the max. His end was poetic if a bit unrealistic.
Good episode for Bonanza to conclude.
Last (and scariest) show (SPOILERS INCLUDED)
peterharris-767759 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERTS: This show is about a man gone COMPLETELY mad -- a man who tracks and kills on the slightest provocation, or none at all.
Throughout the hour, the tracker hears voices from his trial for mass murder -- apparently a My Lai-style massacre of Indian women and children, although this is never clearly stated. Numerous point-of-view, close-up and hand-held-camera tracking shots add to the terror, especially since Little Joe's ultimate fate seems to be very much up in the air throughout the hour and even when it ends, since he is stretched to the breaking point. The sound track includes numerous variations on "Frere Jacques," which the hunter whistles frequently. Also, running through his head, are the words "We sentence you" -- giving us a really good clue to his ultimate fate. In an irony, these are the last words heard on the show -- and the series.
It makes you wonder if NBC considered airing this episode a few weeks earlier and substituting a less scary show as the finale. Writer-director Michael Landon turns in his least typical show, and possibly his best, if you can survive watching the whole show -- especially the twist at the end.
Throughout the hour, the tracker hears voices from his trial for mass murder -- apparently a My Lai-style massacre of Indian women and children, although this is never clearly stated. Numerous point-of-view, close-up and hand-held-camera tracking shots add to the terror, especially since Little Joe's ultimate fate seems to be very much up in the air throughout the hour and even when it ends, since he is stretched to the breaking point. The sound track includes numerous variations on "Frere Jacques," which the hunter whistles frequently. Also, running through his head, are the words "We sentence you" -- giving us a really good clue to his ultimate fate. In an irony, these are the last words heard on the show -- and the series.
It makes you wonder if NBC considered airing this episode a few weeks earlier and substituting a less scary show as the finale. Writer-director Michael Landon turns in his least typical show, and possibly his best, if you can survive watching the whole show -- especially the twist at the end.
Two Man Episode Brings Plenty Suspense
nlathy-839-30067731 January 2023
Probably the most controversial episode is the Series finale. The only fun in this movie involves Ben trying to help Jamie with math. It turns into a chase movie with Tom Skerritt tracking Michael Landon. Both actors put in solid performances especially Landon. Landon directs a story with similarity to an earlier episode the Crucible with Pernell Roberts and Lee Marvin. Hunter is much better. This film calls to mind the work of Anthony Mann, John Ford, John Sturges and Franklin Schaffner. This doesn't tug at your heart one iota. Still it works. I've avoided this one in the past due to the reviews. My low expectations were exceeded greatly.
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