Tag: Westerns

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” (2013) starring Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, & Ben Foster

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The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. –Synopsis

This is the (ambitious) debut of a young American director/writer, David Lowery; it was shot in less than one month on location (Texas; Louisiana). Yes, he cast Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) just before she shot to fame! I think the true “star” of the film is Bradford Young; he’s a Black American (which is a rarity in the field of cinematography). Much of this movie was shot during “Golden Hour” (the hour before sunset). I was reminded of Days of Heaven (1978) from another indie director, Terrence Malick. Lowery knows how to set a tone and create a mood; however, this movie is NOT just about “vibes” (as the Youngbloods say). There is simple (or sometimes no) dialogue; we hear voiceover from the emotional letters sent by Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) while he is in jail. Music is an important element here; the songs seem like they are lifted directly from the late 1960s/early 1970s in the South.

I had a gut instinct of who would be perfect for these roles. It was those actors. Luckily for me, they said yes. -David Lowery (director) on casting

I watched this free on streaming (Tubi TV) recently; you should check it out IF looking for something original. I was interested b/c Ben Foster has a supporting role; Patrick Wheeler (Foster- sporting a mustache) is a deputy who draws Ruth out of her shell. They grew up in the same little town and attend church together. It’s obvious that the soft-spoken cop has a crush on Ruth, BUT Patrick approaches her in a gentle/respectful manner. In one touching scene, Patrick plays guitar and sings to Ruth’s young daughter (Sylvie). Foster (now 43 y.o.) may be more known for his unhinged/villain roles in recent yrs, such as 3:10 to Yuma and Hell or High Water. He has done a LOT of theater and indies over the yrs. I’ve been a fan of his since Liberty Heights (1999), a coming-of-age drama centered on a working-class/Jewish family in 1960s Baltimore (dir. by Barry Levinson). Foster (who has Jewish heritage on his father’s side) has an older brother in that movie, Adrien Brody (before he became famous).

David Lowery has constructed a beautiful, atmospheric, little indie film with this 1970s Texas crime melodrama. At every point where Lowery could have added Hollywood flourishes and gimmicks to make the film more commercial, he refuses to do so. […]

…Bradford Young deserves all the praise he has earned for his cinematography.

-Excerpt from IMDb review

“The Tin Star” (1957) starring Henry Fonda & Anthony Perkins

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In the able hands of Henry Fonda and Tony Perkins THE TIN STAR shines like gold! -Cecil B. DeMille

Morg: A decent man doesn’t want to kill, but if you’re gonna shoot, you shoot to kill.
Ben: How about hittin’ them in the arm?
Morg: That hokey-pokey’ll get you killed fast. There’re a lot of guys bragging about shooting a gun out of somebody’s hand. They’re lying. They shot to kill. A wounded man can still kill you.

A world-weary bounty-hunter, Morg Hickman (Henry Fonda- at 52), rides into a small town w/ the body of a criminal he captured. The (formerly safe/orderly) town is facing danger; their sheriff was recently killed. A young/inexperienced local, Ben Owens (Anthony Perkins- just 25), is named the temporary replacement. Ben desperately wants to be sheriff, BUT needs to convince the town’s leaders. His fiancee, Millie Parker (Mary Webster), refuses to marry Ben unless he gives up this goal. While Morg awaits his payment, he stays w/ a widow just outside town, Nona Mayfield (Betsy Palmer), and her young/half Native American son, Kip (Michel Ray). When Ben hears that Morg was a sheriff for many yrs, he asks the older man to teach him what he needs to know.

Morg: [to Ben] Learn what to stay out of. If you step into a fight, make sure you’re the better man. Paste this in your hat: a gun’s only a tool. You can master a gun if you got the knack. Harder to learn men.

I heard about this movie on the Hellbent for Letterbox podcast; it’s “a thinking person’s Western” (as one viewer commented). It was directed by Anthony Mann; he made several movies in this genre w/ Jimmy Stewart. I learned that Stewart was supposed to star here, BUT then (his BFF) Fonda took on the role. Fonda always gives a strong performance; he and Perkins (before Psycho) make a fine- though unexpected- duo. They’re both V tall (6’ 2”) w/ wiry builds, yet give off different types of energy onscreen. Perkins (who studied at The Actors Studio in NYC) isn’t afraid to show Ben’s youthful insecurity and vulnerability.

I thought that the dialogue was great; the 3 writers (Dudley Nichols, Barney Slater, and Joel Kane) were nominated for the 1958 Oscar for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen. The supporting characters get their moments. The kindly/elderly Dr. Joe McCord (John McIntyre) is a trusted friend to Ben and the unofficial historian of the community. There are two villains (played by Neville Brand and Lee Van Cleef); these actors also appeared in many noir films. We see how those w/ Native American heritage are treated; they’re relegated to the outskirts of society. The production design is well done; i.e. the large window of the sheriff’s office looks out onto the town square (so Ben can see what’s going on).

[1] You can never take your eyes off Henry Fonda – tall, dark and brooding if there ever was one. Anthony Perkins is (of course) very different to Norman Bates in Psycho and for those of us who saw him in that long before this earlier work, will not be disappointed.

The near-silent ending is as tense as you’ll find anywhere within any Western – and you will be both too – silent AND tense…

[2] We have all the necessary ingredients for a fine screenplay. We have greed, hate, violence, racism, ignorance, and just plain human decency all exposed on screen with an even pace to measure the morals meted out by Fonda’s character as the plot unfolds.

[3] The Tin Star is undoubtedly a very important Western featuring some of the most memorable and heart-warming moments of the genre’s history and a wonderful performance from Henry Fonda.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews


“Godless” (2017) starring Jack O’Connell, Michelle Dockery, & Jeff Daniels

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Welcome to no man’s land. -Synopsis

In the late 1800s, infamous criminal leader, Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels), and his outlaws are on a mission to get revenge on Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), the former “brother” who betrayed their gang. On the run, Roy seeks refuge near the mining town of La Belle, N.M. He gets a job and a place to stay w/ Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), a widow/single mom/outcast. The local sheriff, Bill McNue (Scoot McNairy), is keeping a secret, BUT still trying to do his job. Bill’s deputy, Whitey Winn (Thomas Brodie Sangster), is eager to fight, yet untested. Mary Agnes McNue (Merritt Wever) helps Bill care of his 2 young kids; she wears pants and handles a gun well (like her brother). When word of Griffin’s imminent arrival, the residents of La Belle (mostly women) band together to defend themselves.

Godless (7 eps) was released on Netflix in NOV 2017. Scott Frank (writer/director) was nominated for the 2018 Emmy in Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special. Frank is known for Logan (2017), Out of Sight (1998) and The Lookout (2007). Daniels (a veteran of film/TV/stage) won the Emmy that year for Outstanding Supporting Actor; Wever (mainly a theater actress; seen in Marriage Story in 2019) won Outstanding Supporting Actress. La Belle is an actual town that was located in Taos Co. around the turn of the 20th C. The character of John Randall (Rob Morgan) of the 10th Cavalry Union Army and the legend of the Buffalo Soldiers is true. Blackdom was located in SE New Mexico (close to Roswell), NOT in the North of the state (as other towns mentioned on the show).

This show both subverts, and builds upon, the common tropes of the Western genre. Though the setting here is the Old (& V wild) West, the issues explored are universal: grief, generational trauma, desire for redemption, search for knowledge, etc. The women have no choice; they MUST be self-sufficient, work w/ own hands/bodies, and develop mental toughness. Masculinity is depicted in nuanced ways (which pleasantly surprised me); there are no swaggering John Wayne-type heroes. Some of the work was done by casting male actors of slim builds/average height; also, the dialogue and (subtle) acting is key. The men in this show are able to cry, fall in love, and (sometimes) verbalize what is affecting them. The costumes, production design, cinematography, and music are ALL superb.

[1] Godless is easily one of my favorite westerns I’ve seen in a long time. I’m actually blown away by how much I liked it. I had high expectations because of all the great ratings and reviews and it not only met those expectations but surpassed them in every way!

[2] Jack O’Connell and Jeff Daniels lead an absolutely incredible cast who are all at the top of their game here!

[3] The writing of this show is what surprised me the most, how the scenes of each character from their past to the present are presented in such a subtle yet moving way. […]

The direction of Scott Frank is really among the best when it comes to how he sets up the scenes, the camera work, and how he spent time with these characters that went further than western to date. I wish there were more Westerns made this way…

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“The Outsider” (2002) starring Naomi Watts & Tim Daly

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Have y’all seen anything on Freevee? A few weekends ago, I came across this movie (which originally aired on Showtime). The Outsider (based on the novel by Penelope Williamson) is a Western/drama/romance set in the late 1880s; it was filmed in Australia. It is centered on the (forbidden) love btwn a widowed mother, Rebecca Yoder (Naomi Watts), from a (Mennonite-like) group and a gunslinger, Johnny Gault (Tim Daly), who she takes into her house after he is shot. Noah (Keth Carradine) is Rebecca’s friend/neighbor; he is a widower w/ a teen son. The community’s doctor is played by his (real-life) older brother, David Carradine. Fans of the LOTR trilogy will recognize the main villain, Mr. Hunter (John Noble- a veteran Aussie actor). The director (Randa Haines) has worked on several critically-acclaimed films.

This is NOT the typical (shoot ’em up) Western, though there are scenes of action. The scenery is V nice, though the sets, costumes, etc. are simple. Rebecca’s community members are called “the plain people” and they avoid confrontation and violence. In an early scene, we see what lead to the death of her husband. The townspeople try to take advantage of this peaceful community sometimes. The worst one of all is Mr. Hunter, a powerful/feared man who wants to expand his land holdings. About a year later, a man dressed in dusty/dark clothes stumbles onto her land w/ a bullet lodged in his gut. Quickly, Rebecca and her young son (Benjo) take him into their log cabin. Rebecca is shocked when she unwraps the guns, knives, and bullets that this man carried on his person. We wonder if this is a good man or one that is a criminal (who could cause her harm)! The doctor removes the bullet and predicts that the outsider will die soon. However, Rebecca is NOT convinced; she prays for his life and helps him recover (going out of her way).

Why would anyone want to cover up something so beautiful? -Johnny asks Rebecca (who covers her hair)

After a rocky start, Rebecca and Johnny get to know each other as he heals. She’s pleasantly surprised to know that he knows the Bible. Johnny appreciates her humor and humanity. Rebecca is more of a spiritual person; her view of religion consists of everything around her. When Johnny is chastised for playing music, he is playful/teasing w/ Rebecca, not angry. It turns out that Rebecca loves music, BUT it’s not allowed by her people. Rebecca is attracted to Johnny b/c he appreciates who she is. Yes, there are (typical) tropes you find in romance novels, BUT there are scenes that feel fresh and non-cliched. Even today, there are NOT many movies that focus on women’s desire! Watts (who is an Aussie) would go on to some big roles; she always gives a fine performance. Daly (an American; then known for light/comedic roles) gets to show his versatility. They have great chemistry together!

[1] Every so often, a movie comes along with an inspiring cast, a beautiful setting, dialogue that sounds like people talking, foreshadow that makes sense and characters that emote deep sympathy.

[2] For anyone that loves reading a good romance novel, this is the movie for you. […] Sexy, intelligent, believable characters, and a smoldering chemistry…

Tim Daly is fantastic in this film. …his character has a variety of facets which are explored in a realistic way.

[3] Tim Daly – who I had always considered as an actor in light comedy – was extremely impressive as a dark, possibly evil, character. In a movie that could have been just a mixture of Shane/Witness, it brought something new and impelling. It made you care…

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Warlock” (1959) starring Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Dorothy Malone, & Dolores Michaels

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In the frontier mining community of Warlock, rancher Abe McQuown’s (Tom Drake) San Pablo gang terrorizes the inhabitants, humiliating the town’s Deputy Sheriff and running him out of town. One of the cowboys in the gang is Curley Burne (DeForest Kelley); the actor would find fame as Dr. McCoy on the original Star Trek TV series. In desperate need of protection, the town’s leaders hire an (unofficial) Marshall, Clay Blaisedell (Henry Fonda), to bring law and order. Clay arrives w/ his close friend, Tom Morgan (Anthony Quinn), who is a businessman. These two men stand up to the gang and the town gets quieter (for a time). Johnny Gannon (Richard Widmark), a former member of the gang, reforms and decides to become the (official) Deputy Sheriff. Frank Gorshin (uncredited) plays Billy, Johnny’s brother; he later appeared in the famous TOS ep- Let that Be Your Last Battlefield. IMDb notes that this was the 1st movie for Gary Lockwood (the main guest star on the TOS ep- Where No Man Has Gone Before). I didn’t notice him as one of the gang; look for the tall man w/ a black hat, blue bandana, and dark mustache. Lockwood started his Hollywood career as a stuntman; he’d go on to star in 20001: A Space Odyssey.

Jessie: The men you posted are coming into town.

Clay: I thank you for warning me, but I’ve already heard.

Jessie: Why does it have to happen? Why do these things always have to end in bloodshed?

Clay: Ah, that’s how things are, Miss Jessie. That’s why I was hired… why you hired me.

Jessie: And so they’ll come into town, and you’ll shoot them all down dog-dead in the street, is that it?

Clay: Or them me.

Jessie: Or them you…

Someone once said, there are ONLY 2 types of movies: the hero goes looking for adventure or a stranger comes to town. In this case, we find 2 strangers (w/ money, shiny guns, and fancy clothes) primarily concerned w/ making more money, then moving on to another town. This is a complex/mature Western, as it subverts some of the tropes of the genre. Some viewers thought Clay and Tom are a BIT too close (more than pals), though director Edward Dmytryk (known for his work in film noir) said the homoerotic undercurrents were unintentional. There are 2 supporting roles for women; BOTH are blonde, pretty (of course), yet also independent-minded. Lily Dollar (Dorothy Malone- tall/curvy/glam) tracks Clay and Tom down, looking to get revenge. Lily invites Johnny over for a home-cooked meal at her house. Jessie Marlow (Dolores Michaels) is one of Warlock’s leaders; her father left her a successful mine. Jessie does NOT approve of violence, though she feels drawn to Clay.

The acting is strong here, as we’d expect from the main cast. Widmark can play the angst and action well; he still looks youthful. Fonda (in a rare “shady” role) conveys depth to a gunslinger. Quinn (using a slight limp) is playing against type; he was often cast as a “macho” man. The running time is a BIT long (and feels like it); there is much going on w/ backstories of several characters. The action takes place mostly in the town (20th C. Studios in Culver City, CA); I wanted to see more of the (Moab, Utah) locations. There is the use of matte paintings for some backdrops (commonplace long into the 1990s).

[1] Complex psychological western. I like another reviewer’s point about the conflict between law and order in the film. Only Widmark’s Gannon appears concerned with enforcing law in addition to order, while the rest of the town is more concerned with simply order. Fonda’s Clay Blaisdell stands as the pivotal character, a morally ambiguous gunslinger with a dubious past. The mutual attachment between him and sidekick Morgan (Quinn) is highly unusual for a macho western. As hired gunslingers, they’re a formidable team.

[2] Here all central characters are multi-layered, there is a plenty going on that begs the utmost attention, where tragedy hangs heavy with its looming presence, and Dmytryk threads all the story strands together with thoughtfully potent results.

Adapted by Robert Alan Aurthur from Oakley Hall’s novel, Warlock boasts three excellent male lead performances and a firing on all cylinders supporting cast.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews