Well now, this was one slow moving Western, wasn't it? About the same pace as herding cattle seven or eight miles a day across the open prairie. I guess that was the point, as just about every scene and event in the picture was meant to support my summary line above. The cowboy's life was dull and dreary, and the day to day grind of swallowing bucketfuls of dust was only exceeded by forcing down some slop the camp cook put together at the end of each day. So much for the glamor and romance of the Old West.
The film makers took an interesting approach here. Not a single major player appeared in this picture, so it was cool to spot some of the better character actors of the day in support of the action. Geoffrey Lewis and Bo Hopkins stood out as hired hands on Culpepper's (Billy Green Bush) cattle drive, and Royal Dano made his mark as the leader of the cattle rustling bunch.
One thing I particularly liked was learning about the old rattlesnake in a glass jar bit. I'd try making a few bucks on that myself if I could round up a rattlesnake and a jar to put him in. I thought of a way to beat it though, you just have to close your eyes when you take the bet.
I'll tell you what really ticked me off though. After Caldwell's (Lewis) men decided to go for broke and face off against the bully rancher at the finale, the leader of the pacifists turned around and said we're outta here. What? After the gunmen gave their lives for a noble cause? That just wasn't right. It appeared young Ben (Gary Grimes) had the wrong takeaway from that lesson. I'd have saddled up and joined old Culpepper to finish what I started.
The film makers took an interesting approach here. Not a single major player appeared in this picture, so it was cool to spot some of the better character actors of the day in support of the action. Geoffrey Lewis and Bo Hopkins stood out as hired hands on Culpepper's (Billy Green Bush) cattle drive, and Royal Dano made his mark as the leader of the cattle rustling bunch.
One thing I particularly liked was learning about the old rattlesnake in a glass jar bit. I'd try making a few bucks on that myself if I could round up a rattlesnake and a jar to put him in. I thought of a way to beat it though, you just have to close your eyes when you take the bet.
I'll tell you what really ticked me off though. After Caldwell's (Lewis) men decided to go for broke and face off against the bully rancher at the finale, the leader of the pacifists turned around and said we're outta here. What? After the gunmen gave their lives for a noble cause? That just wasn't right. It appeared young Ben (Gary Grimes) had the wrong takeaway from that lesson. I'd have saddled up and joined old Culpepper to finish what I started.