This movie is very slow to get started. I found the latter half of the movie to be quite compelling, but you have to wade through a boring initial story line, unbelievable situations, and horribly awkward faux romance scenes that would be considered sexual assault these days. Joel Mcrae and Randall Scott's relationship with Ron Starr (Heck aka the boy) is a bit outlandish. It would be one thing for Starr (who's character looks at least 25) to defer to Mcrae and Scott's (both in their late 50s) wisdom and experience it's another thing for his character to be completely physically dominated by the two senior cowboys. I found Starr's character to be quite unbelievable in general, as his lines seem as if they are trying to portray a 15 year old when he could easily be 27. Starr's romance with Hartley is equally annoying and the movie picks up when the focus turns away from their romance (which is a shame because good romance is sorely lacking in the genre) to center back on Scott and Mcrae. There are some great camera shots and plot twists towards the end of the movie as well.
I can appreciate the brilliance of Mcrae and Scott as actors and can see where Peckinpah was beginning to develop as a director, but as a whole the movie feels hit or miss. I suppose that if you grew up during this era you might really like this movie but I don't think I'll watch it again.
I can appreciate the brilliance of Mcrae and Scott as actors and can see where Peckinpah was beginning to develop as a director, but as a whole the movie feels hit or miss. I suppose that if you grew up during this era you might really like this movie but I don't think I'll watch it again.