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Pale Rider

Pale Rider (1985)

June. 28,1985
|
7.3
|
R
| Drama Western

A mysterious preacher protects a humble prospector village from a greedy mining company trying to encroach on their land.

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christopher-underwood
1985/06/28

This starts so well and always looks fantastic that it seems churlish to be too critical but it just seems a shame. The views of the mountains, forest and hillside as group on horseback come tumbling through the landscape and the contrast of their menace and determination with the sound of the horses compared with the homely encampment of the prospectors is stunning. Equally as they gradually become aware of the threat of the coming danger is beautifully done. The film continues much in this vein with the added ingredient of the pale rider (actually it is the horse that is pale) and Eastwood always has a marvellous awareness of just how to look and measure his words. Its just I felt that the film dipped a bit in the middle when we are suddenly asked to take the prospectors' private lives seriously and unfortunately the incredibly well set up finale doesn't really live up to the expectations established with the idea of the corrupt Stockburn and his five or was it six similarly dressed deputies.

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BrickNash
1985/06/29

Pale Rider is without a doubt my favourite Clint Eastwood directed western. The lone gunman helping out small folk is nothing new in this genre but the way it's executed is worthy of great praise.The film has a cold bleakness to it that I've never seen anywhere before in any film. There is an eerie uneasiness which stems from the slight supernatural theme within the film and there are even tiny elements of horror featured too,not least of which is the score which sounds like a foreboding old Hammer Horror film. This add a sinisterness to the proceedings and to the Precaher character that suggests otherworldy doings and makes for some captivating viewing.It's also a nicely contained film, simply darting between the camp and the small town which always seems deserted and spooky further adding to the feel. The film is also deliberately ambiguous as to the history of the preacher and the Stockburn character which sends the curiosity factor through the roof and makes one wonder just what these two did in the past.Pale Rider isn't the most action packed film ever but it's Clint Eastwood playing his most famous character in the invincible gunfighter who kicks a lot of ass for what is sadly the last time.It's beautifully shot and thoroughly dramatic but with enough of an action climax to satisfy fans of gunplay.A very underrated classic sadly overshadowed by Clint's next Western "Unforgiven" which although superb, is an inferior film in my opinion.

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Thomas Drufke
1985/06/30

Even without a ton of dialogue, Clint Eastwood earns my attention in Pale Rider based on pure charisma and stature. He's done many great westerns, but this one ranks up there among his best.Of the many interesting things about a lot of Eastwood's westerns is that he often plays a wandering mysterious figure who happens to come upon conflict. Pale Rider is no different. This time, Eastwood is known as 'The Stranger' and 'The Preacher' who decides to help a small village of people from miners who intend to take over their land. For all intents and purposes, this feels a whole lot like a fresh take on the Seven Samurai structured story, but with only one bada** man.If it wasn't obvious already, I'm very high on Eastwood's performance here. He seems like a humble and honest man in his mannerisms but when push comes to shove, no one can take him in a gun battle. The supporting cast is formidable for the story they're telling. But besides some fun Richard Kiel moments, and an interesting 3rd act arrival from John Russell, the cast is really nothing to ride home about.Touting the lone two female characters are Carrie Snodgress and Sydney Penny as a mother and daughter from the village the Preacher is trying to protect. Although I think their performances are solid, some of the character decisions made them feel much more hollow and more down the line of clichéd females in film, sadly. Not to mention the unnecessary romantic angles Eastwood took with his direction of them.In terms of a western, Pale Rider hits all the beats you want. It has a compelling lead, high stakes, and one amazing gun-blazing final scene. If you're looking for another well-strung western from Eastwood, this is the film for you, even if some of the supporting characters and shoe-stringed romance misses the mark completely.+Eastwood as the Preacher is gold+Final battle+Fun appearances from Richard Kiel and John Russell-Romance angle is botched8.6/10

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glen-121
1985/07/01

Enjoyable, would watch again, and again next time it comes on TV.Club is an interesting character - doesn't say much, looks mean and intimidating, yet I can't recall any scene where he actually threatens anyone, other than demonstrating his strength by splitting the boulder. This results in Hull later finding the nugget.Then when Megan is being assaulted by Josh, Club wades in looking like he intends to pull Josh away (and possibly beat the living you-know-what out of him). The Preacher arrives before he can protect Megan, but Club's intent is clear. Club is the evil-looking bad guy who really is not; I think the story is trying to show that the Preacher had an influence on him as well.

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