Review of Pale Rider (1985) by Brennan D — 16 Feb 2009
Take the basic outline of Shane and mix in some of the mythological character elements of director Clint Eastwood's earlier, darker and just as brilliant High Plains Drifter, and this is the picture that is born.
Eastwood plays a mysterious preacher who drifts into a Northern California mining colony being terrorized by the local entrepreneur, played by Richard Dysart, and becomes embroiled in a land battle; all the while biding his time until a rival band of gunmen arrive.
A terrific script by Dennis Shryac and Michael Butler (who also penned Eastwood's silly but fun action picture The Gauntlet), gorgeous location photography by Bruce Surtees and Eastwood playing another variation (and doing it damn well as always) on his "Man With No Name" persona, makes this one of the great revisionist westerns.
This review of Pale Rider (1985) was written by Brennan D on 16 Feb 2009.
Pale Rider has generally received positive reviews.
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