Good story, woven nicely into the brutally arid desert location. Paladin is hired by Marshal (Lynch) to join posse in apprehending Marshal's son (Prine) before father (Carey) of the boy Prine killed can kill him. Carey is also a member of the posse, so there's a lot of tension as the posse rides across the hellish landscape. Can Paladin capture the kid before the vengeful Carey kills them both.
Good acting by Prine, especially. Note how expressively he uses his eyes. Nice to see veteran Western actor Harry Carey Jr. pick up a payday. Two scenes are worth picking out—note the extended wordless shot of Paladin riding down the rocky slope and into the open desert. From it we get an idea of the impressive expanse facing the posse. Second, what a nicely wistful final scene where Paladin comes to understand the full consequences of his actions. Boone's character is usually so assured it's humanizing to catch him in a reflective moment.
One reservation—who staged that stupid clinch in the opening hotel room scene. We know Paladin's a devil with the ladies so we don't have to glue him to the girl, who is—by the way — drop-dead gorgeous but has all the acting skills of a robot. But when you're beautiful, what guy cares.
Good acting by Prine, especially. Note how expressively he uses his eyes. Nice to see veteran Western actor Harry Carey Jr. pick up a payday. Two scenes are worth picking out—note the extended wordless shot of Paladin riding down the rocky slope and into the open desert. From it we get an idea of the impressive expanse facing the posse. Second, what a nicely wistful final scene where Paladin comes to understand the full consequences of his actions. Boone's character is usually so assured it's humanizing to catch him in a reflective moment.
One reservation—who staged that stupid clinch in the opening hotel room scene. We know Paladin's a devil with the ladies so we don't have to glue him to the girl, who is—by the way — drop-dead gorgeous but has all the acting skills of a robot. But when you're beautiful, what guy cares.
