This is one of my favorite Westerns.
Yet, it cannot boast of a gunfight or excessive action that is a trademark of westerns.
There are several reasons why I love this film. It is a reflective sensitive film, with the main character trying to come to terms with change.
It deals with people and nature--fodder for good poetry. That gets a fillip when the director William Fraker, is an accomplished cinematographer.
Lee Marvin is great when he is brooding and therefore a superb choice. Jeanne Moreau is a delight to watch in any film but her performance in this film is one I will never forget. Yet when I asked Ms Moreau some 15 years after the film was made about this film, she didn't even appear to recall the name of William Fraker--but merely referred to him as another cinematographer-turned-director. I have always wondered at that reaction....Jack Palance is another wonderful actor who makes this movie great.. In retrospect the casting was superb.
A good western needs good music. This one has one of the finest songs I have heard "the good times are a'coming" by Mama Cass Elliot.
I recommend this film and "Will Penny" as great unusual westerns that touch you if you appreciate good filmmaking--and do not evaluate a western by the action sequences.
Yet, it cannot boast of a gunfight or excessive action that is a trademark of westerns.
There are several reasons why I love this film. It is a reflective sensitive film, with the main character trying to come to terms with change.
It deals with people and nature--fodder for good poetry. That gets a fillip when the director William Fraker, is an accomplished cinematographer.
Lee Marvin is great when he is brooding and therefore a superb choice. Jeanne Moreau is a delight to watch in any film but her performance in this film is one I will never forget. Yet when I asked Ms Moreau some 15 years after the film was made about this film, she didn't even appear to recall the name of William Fraker--but merely referred to him as another cinematographer-turned-director. I have always wondered at that reaction....Jack Palance is another wonderful actor who makes this movie great.. In retrospect the casting was superb.
A good western needs good music. This one has one of the finest songs I have heard "the good times are a'coming" by Mama Cass Elliot.
I recommend this film and "Will Penny" as great unusual westerns that touch you if you appreciate good filmmaking--and do not evaluate a western by the action sequences.