Watch CATTLE ANNIE & LITTLE BRITCHES

Cattle Annie & Little Britches is a 1981 Western film that tells the story of two teenage girls who become infatuated with the idea of joining a notorious outlaw gang led by Bill Doolin. The film is based on the real-life story of two young women, Cattle Annie and Little Britches, who did indeed run with the Doolin gang in the 1890s. While the true story of these two girls is largely unknown, the film takes some creative liberties in telling their tale.

The film stars Burt Lancaster as Bill Doolin, the charismatic and ruthless leader of the gang. John Savage and Diane Lane play the titular characters, Cattle Annie and Little Britches, respectively. Rod Steiger rounds out the cast as U.S. Marshal Bill Tilghman, who is tasked with tracking down and capturing the gang.

The movie opens with Annie and Britches, two young girls from Oklahoma, who are fascinated with the news of the notorious Bill Doolin and his gang of bandits. The girls sneak out of their homes to join the gang, hoping to become legendary outlaws themselves. The gang initially rejects them, but Doolin sees potential in the girls and takes them under his wing.

As the girls ride with the gang, they experience the thrill and danger of life on the run. However, their time with the gang is short-lived as the U.S. Marshals finally catch up with them. Annie and Britches are separated from the gang and imprisoned.

Meanwhile, Marshal Tilghman begins to track down the rest of the gang, leading to a dramatic showdown between the outlaws and the lawmen. The climax of the film sees a desperate Doolin and his remaining gang members trying to evade capture while Tilghman and his deputies close in on them.

Throughout the movie, we see the conflicting emotions of Annie and Britches as they struggle to reconcile their love for the excitement and freedom of outlaw life with the harsh realities of living on the run. The film also explores the complex relationships between the gang members, including Doolin and his second-in-command, Dynamite Dick, played by Scott Glenn.

Cattle Annie & Little Britches features beautiful cinematography, with sweeping shots of the rugged Oklahoma landscape, and a haunting musical score by John Barry. The film also benefits from strong performances by Lancaster and Steiger, both seasoned veterans of the Western genre.

While the film takes some liberties with the true story of Cattle Annie and Little Britches, it is a compelling look at a lesser-known aspect of the Old West. It explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and is a must-see for fans of Westerns and fans of great cinema in general.

CATTLE ANNIE & LITTLE BRITCHES is a 1980 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.