I am very surprised. Usually the CONNECTIONS tab on IMDb is very helpful and lists all the various versions and remakes of a given film. However, no credit is given to the film "Stagecoach" (1939)--and "Hombre" is clearly a remake of this classic film. Now perhaps this omission is because it's really more of a reworking of the original film--with quite a few changes to the plot--but still, the original story is easy to notice.
The film begins with Paul Newman dressed like an American-Indian. I thought the film was stupid as the idea of the blue-eyed Newman playing an Indian is ridiculous. But, you then learn that Newman was NOT an Indian but had been raised by them--and this was an interesting twist. That's because there's a lot of prejudice he faces throughout the film--and it makes sense to have a plot line like this as the film was made in the 1960s--when racial matters were at the forefront.
Later in the film, a motley group (again, very much like those from "Stagecoach") are stuck in the desert when a group of robbers attack. But, it turns out to be a bit of a standoff--and the stupid folks now have to rely on Newman--a guy they'd treated like dirt because of his Indian ways. And, the 'savage' turns out to be their best friend in this predicament--whether he wants to be or not! While some may find the film a bit downbeat (particularly the ending), I liked the film quite a bit because of its plot about racism. Also, Newman, as usual, does a fine job. The only reason I didn't score it higher is because the plot isn't exactly new--but they did manage to breathe some life and originality into it.
The film begins with Paul Newman dressed like an American-Indian. I thought the film was stupid as the idea of the blue-eyed Newman playing an Indian is ridiculous. But, you then learn that Newman was NOT an Indian but had been raised by them--and this was an interesting twist. That's because there's a lot of prejudice he faces throughout the film--and it makes sense to have a plot line like this as the film was made in the 1960s--when racial matters were at the forefront.
Later in the film, a motley group (again, very much like those from "Stagecoach") are stuck in the desert when a group of robbers attack. But, it turns out to be a bit of a standoff--and the stupid folks now have to rely on Newman--a guy they'd treated like dirt because of his Indian ways. And, the 'savage' turns out to be their best friend in this predicament--whether he wants to be or not! While some may find the film a bit downbeat (particularly the ending), I liked the film quite a bit because of its plot about racism. Also, Newman, as usual, does a fine job. The only reason I didn't score it higher is because the plot isn't exactly new--but they did manage to breathe some life and originality into it.