Billy Two Hats was not a major film when it was released in 1974. In fact it had hardly any release at all.

It was produced by Norman Jewison, directed by Ted Kotchoff, written by Alan Sharp. (all TOP names in film & television) & stars Gregory Peck with a Scot brogue & full beard. He is great as usual.

The cast is small but all are first rate

One wonders what the problem was.

Simple. it is an Art house western that was improperly released. It also has the distinction of being made in the Negrev desert in Isreal. (It looked like the American Southwest to me).

It co-stars Desi Arnaz Jr.( Lucille Ball's son_). They tried to make a movie star out of him, He was not too bad in fact he was quite good.

Peck & Arnaz are outlaws on the run,being pursued by nasty MarshalL expertly portrayed by Jack Warden. This is a first rate production all the way.

This is a very good but minor western that deserved a better fate. I saw it on the Western Television cable channel & am glad I did.

I think you all will enjoy it as well.

Ratings: *** (out of 4) 87 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)

A 58 year-old Gregory Peck plays a bank robber with a Scottish accent in the Old West. When the film begins, exactly what has already happened is uncertain. However, the Sheriff (Jack Warden) breaks in on some guys--shooting them both. One is taken prisoner (Desi Arnaz, Jr.),the other is dead. However, the third from their gang (Peck) gets away on his horse. When the Sheriff is taking the prisoner to another town for trial, Peck returns and shoots the Sheriff--escaping with Arnaz. But, as they make their getaway, the saloon keeper (David Huddleston) shoots Peck--hitting him off in the distance. But Peck and the Sheriff are both still alive--with Peck and Arnaz heading to Mexico and the Sheriff and his new Deputy (Huddleston) in pursuit. The plot is extremely simple and the only other factor that comes into play is that Arnaz plays a half-Indian--and the Sheriff is sure confused as to why anyone would risk their life to save "one of them".

I read a few reviews that complained about Peck's accent. I honestly couldn't say whether it was good or not--it sounded fine to me but I certainly am no expert--even if I have been to Scotland a couple times! I am sure someone from the UK would easily detect any defects with such an accent! However, what I could tell easily was that the story was very, very slow and stark--and this was heightened by the lack of a musical score. In fact, the only reason I kept with the story was because it had Gregory Peck. All in all, a fair movie but that's about it.

This unknown Western deals about a Scottish bandit named Deans(Gregory Peck) along with the mestizo Billy Two Hats, both participate on a robbery which goes wrong. Meanwhile an accomplice is killed by sheriff Gifford ( Jack Weston),after that he tracks the thieves and capturing Billy(Desi Arnaz Jr). Then grizzled Deans is shot while breaking Billy out. But Deans is wounded and must rely on Billy . The half-breed not wishing to abandon his veteran partner builds an Indian cot to drag him. Meantime they're pursued by the Sheriff and Copeland (David Huddleston) and hot on the trail. They spend most of it running throughout the desert, being pursued and chased.

This is a Western-pursuit, in that a pair of bandits pull off a failed heist ,confronting many obstacles and risks threatening their lives . The two leading men are quite well in the hostile environment with the flick is set in. There are still nice scenes to watch such as the final images when Gregory Peck is besieged below a cart by Indian warriors that hold a remarkable resemblance to Burt Lancaster surrounded in 'The Ulzana's raid (1972)' by Robert Aldrich. The actors supporting the lead roles are very fine as Jack Weston , David Huddleston and Barbara Allen playing a stuttering young wife. However , the cinematography ,filmed in Israel, is lousy and in faded colors, for that reason is urgent a necessary remastering. Atmospheric and rare musical score , including some of guitar sounds by John Scott. This first Western shot in Israel is professionally directed by Ted Kotcheff and skillfully written by Alan Sharp. Kotcheff got great success on action cinema ( First blood, Uncommon valor, The shooter ) and comedy (Switching channels, Fun with Dick and Jane ). Nevertheless , today he only realizes TV episodes (Law and order, Family of cops, Red shoes diaries). Rating : Acceptable and passable. If you are fan of Gregory Peck, you will want to see this one.