The marshal is obviously the one who gave the preacher his bullet wounds (since the preacher gave him the same set back - but he made sure to finish the job with the shot to the head) - and he recognized him as a preacher - because, when LaHood mentioned a preacher in the camp, the marshal wanted a description of him. He said he sounded familiar, but it couldn't be him, because he (the preacher) was dead.
The suggestion that the Preacher is some sort of spirit of justice is great. I enjoy these kinds of Westerns because they starkly portray a core value of the genre, bringing justice to an unjust world. And who doesn't like a story about a victim returning to visit justice upon evil-doers and save the new victims?
Totally agree. The narrative throws you into the story with those horrendous actions attacking the camp and killing the dog. You are willing for a figure/event to bring justice.
Woah(!), can't believe someone is actually doing this gem; I love it. Kudos to you good sir. I think you may be the first one do a reaction vid for this one, hopefully others follow suit. After a lull there was a small resurgence in the mid 80's of the western genre; this one, Silverado which you awesomely did already, the long coat were everywhere in the real world of fashion, even influencing the last Back to the Future instalment to go 'back' to the west.
This film is a perfect transition film between High Plains drifter and Unforgiven and is almost a Shane remake in many ways. Some more Westerns for you to watch that I'm sure have been already recommended to you: Open Range ("serious" western with a brilliant performance from Robert Duvall and a surprisingly good one from Kevin Costner) Lighter westerns include Silverado (all star cast and somewhat "hollywood") McClintock a very fun, light Western from John Wayne.
I can see some similarities to "Shane". Especially when Megan says farewell to The Preacher as he departs from the town. Thanks for the suggestions. I've seen Silverado for the channel but Open Range and McClintock are both on my watchlist.
Terrific film, imo! Perhaps it was in the longer commentary but the five scars in the Preacher's back matched the five shots in Stockburn's at the end.
"There's few problems that can't be solved with a little sweat and hard work." Fun Fact: The highest-grossing western at the box office made and released during the 1980s. Legendary Director Fact: The second of two westerns starring and directed by Clint Eastwood in which the ending implies that Eastwood's character is possibly a ghost. The first was High Plains Drifter (1973). Authentic Battle Damage Fact: During shooting, Clint Eastwood sustained what he describes as the worst injury he has ever had on-set when a horse he was riding fell through thin ice and launched him forward. Clint suffered a dislocated shoulder. Gun Enthusiast Fact: Preacher's (Clint Eastwood) revolver is a Remington Model 1858, modified from a cap and ball revolver cylinder to a cylinder that fires cartridge ammunition. However it was actually a Remington 1961 and not the fictional 1858 model that was given to avoid issues with copyright at the time.
Not surprised to hear it was the highest grossing Western of the 80's . Absolutely loved this one. Definite top 5 of Eastwood Westerns and top 20 of Westerns in general.
One of my most favorite Clint E movies, next to The Outlaw Josey Wales. My first reaction video of yours. I love your honest reactions and sincere insightful commentary. Keep up the great work and more viewers and subscribers will definitely follow.
Of the two films, I still lean towards High Plains Drifter (my favourite western), but that's not a slur on Pale Rider. I see this one in the cinemas when it was released and loved it then and still do, although I've not seen it in years. I agree with you on some similarities with HPD, although his character in the former is colder, meaner, and less forgiving. Both characters have no name, both characters appear out of nowhere, and both disappear as if they are ghosts. I love how it's left to the interpretation of the viewer. Aside from Unforgiven, my other favourite Eastwood western is The Outlaw Josey Wales. I really enjoyed your reaction.
Agreed, the character was definitely colder in High Plains Drifter. He was more a figure of vengeance while the Preacher was a protector. I must return to High Plains Drifter for a re-watch soon. Yes, the ambiguous nature really adds to the story. Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the reaction.
@IrishGuyReacts No worries. You've made me want to watch this one again I full. I saw High Plains Drifter on one of the streaming services a few days ago too. His character is a little different (maybe not that much) but I think you will love The Outlaw Josey Wales.
I adore Pale Rider as a Supernatural Western. The girl's Prayer of Summoning, The Giant's redemption arc (kind of unneeded, but also sweet), and the final showdown - love it. I haven't yet watched High Plains Drifter, but I'd set this movie alongside: "High Noon", the sci-fi "Outland", "Yojimbo", "Quigley Down Under", and "Grand Torino" for some other satisfying films with final confrontations.
Not my favorite genre by any measure. But Blazing Saddles is my favorite, BY FAR. Breakheart Pass is not bad, as it features a lot of railroad action. Trying to recall what other ones I've seen.
Have you seen 'Outlaw Josey Wales' or 'Unforgiven'? They rank as two of my all time favorite westerns. I could easily put them 1 and 2 and sleep just fine.
@@IrishGuyReacts many argue its his best. I'll be interested in your reaction when you do see it. Westerns have a sentimental place in my heart as it was something I shared with my dad. As for other favorite westerns the following are a few favorites of mine. Open Range Dances with Wolves Tombstone True Grit (the remake) Jeremiah Johnson
@@pedroV2003 Tomstone was a lot of fun. I met Michael Biehn at a Con in Dublin back in August and had a great chat about his portrayal of Ringo. Open Range, Jeremiah Johnson, Dances With Wolves, and True Grit remake are all ones I need to check out.
This is a great genre to explore more than just the US West. It's interesting how the Western has always provided an almost blank canvas to tell other stories, sometimes direct, sometimes allegorical. The 1940s was mostly about a code of honour, but by the 1950s a lot of westerns were proxies for Cold War propaganda. From the 1960s Italians gave us the anti-heroic critiques of the US itself. The 70s branched out to consider civil rights via stories of power imbalance and sheer bullying. And the 80s and beyond has returned to general good versus evil but with a large dose of ambiguity. Also worth checking Japanese cinema - the Samurai genre does similar things. And famously Kurosawa took inspiration from John Ford/John Wayne then in turn provided inspiration for Sergio Leone/Eastwood et al as the influences crossed back and forth, taking in a bit of Shakespeare along the way. And all of this (in particular Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress), caused George Lucas to take these stories into space fantasy.
It is one of the great aspects of the Western genre. So many different types. The Ox-Bow Incident being a perfect example of a pure character driven piece. Clashing over land in The Big Country. A figure trying to put his past aside in The Gunfighter. Revenge in High Plains Drifter.
For me, it's a middle of the pack western. I'd even put High Plains Drifter ahead of it within the Eastwood made westerns category. I like the setting, I always enjoy westerns set in Oregon, Washington state, Montana, Wyoming and the part of California this is set. I find this film very uneven. Over the top scenes, like the mass execution of the drunk prospector, took the film out of itself a bit. Also, the love triangle with the mother and daughter was forced, not very believable. The mother's character changed from scene to scene, from hard experienced woman, to lovesick lass competing with her daughter. You're right that Eastwood gave a fine performance. My problem was with the sub plots.The themes are interesting, but very derivative from Shane and High Plains Drifter. But it's a good watch. A western, that has a similar setting to this, with Charlton Heston, in a first tier performance, is Will Penny, a great one.
The setting is another aspect that makes the film so enjoyable. I don't think I've heard of "Will Penny" but being a big fan of Heston I'll be putting it on the Western watchlist.
In my opinion, this is about the Perfect Western - similar to Shane at the end, when Megan calls out to the Preacher it just cuts me to the core. I like this as much as HPD, and right now would rather not rank one against the other. Another classic Western is the 1966 remake of STAGECOACH with a stellar cast for the mid-sixties, and I would recommend it. As far as Spaghetti Westerns rank, Sergio Leone's ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST ('68 Europe, '69 US) is the best - that long opening sequence is worth the price of admission (hat tip Woody Strode, Jack Elam and the fly).
Glad to hear you regard this one so high. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't remember being aware there was a remake to "Stagecoach". Interesting piece of info The opening to "Once Upon A Time" is truly fantastic.
If you liked this one, you'd probably also like films such as High Plains Drifter and the Outlaw Josey Wales. Both Eastwood movies again but ive always been a fan.
Marginally related but the queen of mystery stories, Agatha Christie, wrote a story with a similar title, The Pale Horse, also referencing to the phrase in Revelation of death riding a pale horse. Her story has nothing to do with westerns but takes place in England. It has been adapted twice by British tv, one adding in Christie's iconic amateur sleuth, Miss Marple. I've read the book and had to watch both tv versions to finally figure it out, but well worth it. PS - The book actually led to the solution of an attempted murder.
Wow - that book should win awards for your closing sentence alone. There is a court play of her's that I really want to get my hands on but can't think of the title just now. I believe it was adapted into a film also,
@@IrishGuyReacts Christie wrote a short story which she adapted into a play under the title Witness For The Prosecution, which was then made into a movie in 1957. THIS is the best version. Another version, basically a scene-for-scene remake with different actors in 1985, was not bad but the actress playing the role originally done by Marlene Dietrich (who was German) had a forced German accent) (Dietrich is wonderfully parodied in Blazing Saddles.) There is another version, quite different and really awful, under the same name.
@@IrishGuyReacts Christie worked in a hospital pharmacy during both world wars acquired a great knowledge of poisons, one of which featured in the Pale Horse as hitherto publically known. Someone read the book and said "holy cow, these are MY symptoms, too. I'm being poisoned."
Great Movie, they say this is a semi remake of Shane, I don't see it per se, Clint never does that without giving full credit, but he has said t was in that same vein. A western that is a bit overlooked is *The Naked Spur* starring Jimmy Stewart as a bounty hunter, its really good, and shot in Technicolor, so MGM made sure this film one of the nicer looking films of the early 50s.
@@IrishGuyReacts Ahhhhh, you are ahead of me, did you know that young lady was the one who played in Psycho. Hard to tell without knowing her name, had a little more meat on the bones. Robert Ryan, the villain was in a lot of Film Noir movies. Yea, in the remake they go way over the top, its like a love affair as they move toward the train🤣. Whereas with Ford, it was more like, I saved your life because you saved mine, Ill break out anyway, I respect your principles, which go both ways.
If you dig westerns, check out a great one from 2003 (I think?) called "Open Range." directed by Kevin Costner and starring Costner, Robert Duvall and Annette Bening. Despite the great cast, it got missed by far too many people and just fell through the cracks somehow. It's a terrific film and I expect you might really like it, even if the main villain is Irish.
I don't know how complicated it is to get a work visa, but I would advise anyone with an Irish accent to try out for Westerns. The Irish, Scottish, & English accents were prominent from recent immigration in the Old West Days. So having authentic Irish speakers takes the authenticity up a notch. The part of Los Angeles, CA. used to be predominantly Irish -American and there was usually a grandparent with an Irish accent up until about 1980 somewhere in the hood. Poor, Catholics, big families... fit right in.
I have always thought that this movie is what High Plains Drifter wanted to be. In real life Richard Kiel (Jaws) in his later years became a born again christian and worked with a lay ministry trying to help the people of the street. I have always thought that the spur thing goes back to the big days of the TV westerns where the heroes would sneak around with their spurs jangling like bells on a harness for a wagon and nobody would notice them. I think it’s just a bit of poking fun at Hollywood. If you want another western movie that spends a lot of time in the winter watch Jeremiah Johnson. It more or less follows the true story of a western hero.
I enjoyed High Plains Drifter but this one was more enjoyable for me. The Preacher was a more welcoming character. Jeremiah Johnson is another on the watchlist 👍
@@IrishGuyReacts I feel that the Preacher was a better developed character thus making for a better filled out story. The movie flows pretty seamlessly from start to finish. It does start with a mystery and end with a mystery but that doesn’t detract from the story in my opinion.
Not sure I'd call "Liver Eatin'" Johnson a hero, though he was certainly a man of his times. The screen version misses a lot of the reality behind the story.
I have to admit to always being puzzled (and even a little disappointed) in Pale Rider. To me it seemed to be a re-doing of High Plains Drifter: an other-worldly gunman shows up and vanquishes the town oppressors and kills those he seemed to have an unresolved vendetta with from the past. I do like to acknowledge the homage to Shane -- the early fight involving an ax handle.
No doubt there are similarities. But maybe because I felt this was an improvement on High Plains Drifter is why I happened to enjoy it quite a lot. The conclusion definitely brings a reminder of the ending of Shane
No doubt - also Megan calling out to the Preacher at the end is very Shanesque. How many times did John Wayne and Howard Hawkes remake the same movie? (Rio Lobo, Eldorado, Rio Bravo). Since the short stories of Bret Harte in the mid-late nineteenth century, many westerns follow one of only a handful of plots. He invented the Western genre in literature, mostly from his time in the Gold Rush of California (The Luck of Roaring Camp, Tennessee's Partner, An Ingenue of The Sierras, The Outcasts of Poker Flat, etc.) and cinema followed suite.
I was in Palm Springs when this movie came out in the theatre and I got to see an early screening (Charity Event) of Pale Rider. Great Movie even though the AC alone was worth the price of admission.
Class! Were you a fan of Eastwood at the time? I imagine it must have been a real buzz for Eastwood fans given it had been a decade since he last did a Western.
Delighted to see it is so high up on your list. A few days on I find myself liking this film more and more. I need to get around to watching Gran Torino.
@@IrishGuyReacts Makes sense. You know, not enough people have done reacts to Star Trek, The Original Series. It is so well written. Have you thought about doing it?
It's funny you mention that as I've strongly been considering watching the Original Series going into the New Year. Next Generation is my all time favourite tv show but I've seen virtually nothing from the 60's show nor any of the movies that followed. There would need to be an alteration to the schedule to fit them in weekly. I might pop up a poll at the end of the year and see how it turns out.
Sorry I got to your reaction 2 days late, but I wanted to watch it again because I hadn't seen it in a long time and to be honest with you I didn't like it then and didn't now because it's such a derivative version of SHANE with an added supernatural element that I find its reach exceeding its grasp although it's well-acted and photographed with a good score, but I'd say I much prefer High Plains Drifter which would be the Western Ingmar Bergman would have directed if he ever wanted to do a Western. But as I say it's such a Shane copycat that is confused about its central drama. About 25% of it i think has well-done scenes that contain real heart, but in the long run its intentions are confused and derivative.
I can see the parallels to "High Plains Drifter". "Shane", I thought the ending was definitely a nod to it but I didn't really feel much of a similarity than that. Then again, I've only seen "Shane" once.
I always welcome the honest views. I loved the figure of The Preacher. He was different to the figure in High Plains Drifter who it wasn't as easy to support (Not that a film always has to have a pure hero/protagonist)
Clint Eastwood's worst Western. A pallid remake of "Shane". Can't stand the cast, either. Carrie Snodgrass is well past her expiration date here, and Michael Moriarty is better suited to tv dramas.
The marshal is obviously the one who gave the preacher his bullet wounds (since the preacher gave him the same set back - but he made sure to finish the job with the shot to the head) - and he recognized him as a preacher - because, when LaHood mentioned a preacher in the camp, the marshal wanted a description of him. He said he sounded familiar, but it couldn't be him, because he (the preacher) was dead.
It would seem that way. But again, I love that it's not flat out said to be the case.
The suggestion that the Preacher is some sort of spirit of justice is great. I enjoy these kinds of Westerns because they starkly portray a core value of the genre, bringing justice to an unjust world. And who doesn't like a story about a victim returning to visit justice upon evil-doers and save the new victims?
Totally agree. The narrative throws you into the story with those horrendous actions attacking the camp and killing the dog. You are willing for a figure/event to bring justice.
Woah(!), can't believe someone is actually doing this gem; I love it. Kudos to you good sir. I think you may be the first one do a reaction vid for this one, hopefully others follow suit.
After a lull there was a small resurgence in the mid 80's of the western genre; this one, Silverado which you awesomely did already, the long coat were everywhere in the real world of fashion, even influencing the last Back to the Future instalment to go 'back' to the west.
Thank you very much. Now one of my favourite Eastwood westerns. Thoroughly enjoyable.
This film is a perfect transition film between High Plains drifter and Unforgiven and is almost a Shane remake in many ways.
Some more Westerns for you to watch that I'm sure have been already recommended to you: Open Range ("serious" western with a brilliant performance from Robert Duvall and a surprisingly good one from Kevin Costner) Lighter westerns include Silverado (all star cast and somewhat "hollywood") McClintock a very fun, light Western from John Wayne.
I can see some similarities to "Shane". Especially when Megan says farewell to The Preacher as he departs from the town. Thanks for the suggestions. I've seen Silverado for the channel but Open Range and McClintock are both on my watchlist.
My pastor was of Irish decent. His name was Pastor Arnold Murray of the Shepherd's Chapel. “Top of the morning to ya”.
Terrific film, imo! Perhaps it was in the longer commentary but the five scars in the Preacher's back matched the five shots in Stockburn's at the end.
I actually didn't pick up on that until going back to edit the reaction but what a great symbolic moment.
"There's few problems that can't be solved with a little sweat and hard work."
Fun Fact: The highest-grossing western at the box office made and released during the 1980s.
Legendary Director Fact: The second of two westerns starring and directed by Clint Eastwood in which the ending implies that Eastwood's character is possibly a ghost. The first was High Plains Drifter (1973).
Authentic Battle Damage Fact: During shooting, Clint Eastwood sustained what he describes as the worst injury he has ever had on-set when a horse he was riding fell through thin ice and launched him forward. Clint suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Gun Enthusiast Fact: Preacher's (Clint Eastwood) revolver is a Remington Model 1858, modified from a cap and ball revolver cylinder to a cylinder that fires cartridge ammunition. However it was actually a Remington 1961 and not the fictional 1858 model that was given to avoid issues with copyright at the time.
Not surprised to hear it was the highest grossing Western of the 80's . Absolutely loved this one. Definite top 5 of Eastwood Westerns and top 20 of Westerns in general.
One of my most favorite Clint E movies, next to The Outlaw Josey Wales. My first reaction video of yours. I love your honest reactions and sincere insightful commentary. Keep up the great work and more viewers and subscribers will definitely follow.
Glad to see it's a favourite of yours and you enjoyed the reaction. Brilliant film. And thank you very much for the support.
Pale rider is a reworking of High Plains Drifter. Eastwood wanted to re do it with a different angle.
Great companion piece with "High Plains Drifter"
Of the two films, I still lean towards High Plains Drifter (my favourite western), but that's not a slur on Pale Rider. I see this one in the cinemas when it was released and loved it then and still do, although I've not seen it in years. I agree with you on some similarities with HPD, although his character in the former is colder, meaner, and less forgiving. Both characters have no name, both characters appear out of nowhere, and both disappear as if they are ghosts.
I love how it's left to the interpretation of the viewer.
Aside from Unforgiven, my other favourite Eastwood western is The Outlaw Josey Wales.
I really enjoyed your reaction.
Agreed, the character was definitely colder in High Plains Drifter. He was more a figure of vengeance while the Preacher was a protector. I must return to High Plains Drifter for a re-watch soon.
Yes, the ambiguous nature really adds to the story.
Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the reaction.
@IrishGuyReacts No worries. You've made me want to watch this one again I full. I saw High Plains Drifter on one of the streaming services a few days ago too.
His character is a little different (maybe not that much) but I think you will love The Outlaw Josey Wales.
I adore Pale Rider as a Supernatural Western.
The girl's Prayer of Summoning, The Giant's redemption arc (kind of unneeded, but also sweet), and the final showdown - love it.
I haven't yet watched High Plains Drifter, but I'd set this movie alongside: "High Noon", the sci-fi "Outland", "Yojimbo", "Quigley Down Under", and "Grand Torino" for some other satisfying films with final confrontations.
Pale Rider definitely top 5 of my favourite Eastwood Westerns.
Where does "Pale Rider" rank among your favourite Westerns or Eastwood Westerns?
It's not my top ten favorite, but it's close. It asks questions that are left to the viewer to mull over since they're left unanswered.
Not my favorite genre by any measure. But Blazing Saddles is my favorite, BY FAR. Breakheart Pass is not bad, as it features a lot of railroad action. Trying to recall what other ones I've seen.
@@johnnehrich9601I wouldn't say blazing saddles is actually a western its a parody of one.
@@careycarson7629 Yes, I love the open ended conclusion to the narrative.
@@johnnehrich9601 Both fun Westerns. "Pale Rider" would be high up for me though.
I'm guessing the marshal is the one who put the bullets in Clint's back.
@@TheBeatenPaths It would make sense with the narrative and their obvious past history
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love this film. It is second only to Josey Wales. THAT is the western for you to see if you haven't.
Oh Josey Wales is on the list. Intend to watch it later this year.
@@IrishGuyReacts Hop to it, damnit! 😁
I second Brett! 😊
Have you seen 'Outlaw Josey Wales' or 'Unforgiven'? They rank as two of my all time favorite westerns. I could easily put them 1 and 2 and sleep just fine.
I've seen "Unforgiven" for the channel. Fantastic film. I've not seen "Outlaw Josey Wales" yet but will be in the future.
@@IrishGuyReacts many argue its his best. I'll be interested in your reaction when you do see it. Westerns have a sentimental place in my heart as it was something I shared with my dad.
As for other favorite westerns the following are a few favorites of mine.
Open Range
Dances with Wolves
Tombstone
True Grit (the remake)
Jeremiah Johnson
@@pedroV2003 Tomstone was a lot of fun. I met Michael Biehn at a Con in Dublin back in August and had a great chat about his portrayal of Ringo.
Open Range, Jeremiah Johnson, Dances With Wolves, and True Grit remake are all ones I need to check out.
This is a great genre to explore more than just the US West. It's interesting how the Western has always provided an almost blank canvas to tell other stories, sometimes direct, sometimes allegorical. The 1940s was mostly about a code of honour, but by the 1950s a lot of westerns were proxies for Cold War propaganda. From the 1960s Italians gave us the anti-heroic critiques of the US itself. The 70s branched out to consider civil rights via stories of power imbalance and sheer bullying. And the 80s and beyond has returned to general good versus evil but with a large dose of ambiguity.
Also worth checking Japanese cinema - the Samurai genre does similar things. And famously Kurosawa took inspiration from John Ford/John Wayne then in turn provided inspiration for Sergio Leone/Eastwood et al as the influences crossed back and forth, taking in a bit of Shakespeare along the way. And all of this (in particular Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress), caused George Lucas to take these stories into space fantasy.
It is one of the great aspects of the Western genre. So many different types. The Ox-Bow Incident being a perfect example of a pure character driven piece. Clashing over land in The Big Country. A figure trying to put his past aside in The Gunfighter. Revenge in High Plains Drifter.
@@IrishGuyReacts loving your work btw... 🧐
@@nevrogers8198 Thank you. Really appreciate it.
For me, it's a middle of the pack western. I'd even put High Plains Drifter ahead of it within the Eastwood made westerns category.
I like the setting, I always enjoy westerns set in Oregon, Washington state, Montana, Wyoming and the part of California this is set. I find this film very uneven. Over the top scenes, like the mass execution of the drunk prospector, took the film out of itself a bit. Also, the love triangle with the mother and daughter was forced, not very believable. The mother's character changed from scene to scene, from hard experienced woman, to lovesick lass competing with her daughter. You're right that Eastwood gave a fine performance. My problem was with the sub plots.The themes are interesting, but very derivative from Shane and High Plains Drifter. But it's a good watch.
A western, that has a similar setting to this, with Charlton Heston, in a first tier performance, is Will Penny, a great one.
The setting is another aspect that makes the film so enjoyable.
I don't think I've heard of "Will Penny" but being a big fan of Heston I'll be putting it on the Western watchlist.
In my opinion, this is about the Perfect Western - similar to Shane at the end, when Megan calls out to the Preacher it just cuts me to the core. I like this as much as HPD, and right now would rather not rank one against the other. Another classic Western is the 1966 remake of STAGECOACH with a stellar cast for the mid-sixties, and I would recommend it. As far as Spaghetti Westerns rank, Sergio Leone's ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST ('68 Europe, '69 US) is the best - that long opening sequence is worth the price of admission (hat tip Woody Strode, Jack Elam and the fly).
Glad to hear you regard this one so high. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't remember being aware there was a remake to "Stagecoach". Interesting piece of info
The opening to "Once Upon A Time" is truly fantastic.
A great remake of Shane. High Plains Drifter, Hang'em High and Pale Rider are great Clint Eastwood Westerns.
Still yet to see Hang'em High but look forward to when I get around to it.
The end was from the ending of Shane, a movie you must see
I have seen it.
A link to the reaction if you'd like to check it out. th-cam.com/video/43hcn-laDYY/w-d-xo.html
Great reaction
Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it. Brilliant film.
If you liked this one, you'd probably also like films such as High Plains Drifter and the Outlaw Josey Wales. Both Eastwood movies again but ive always been a fan.
I've watched High Plains Drifter on the channel. Outlaw Josey Wales will be a future watch.
Marginally related but the queen of mystery stories, Agatha Christie, wrote a story with a similar title, The Pale Horse, also referencing to the phrase in Revelation of death riding a pale horse. Her story has nothing to do with westerns but takes place in England. It has been adapted twice by British tv, one adding in Christie's iconic amateur sleuth, Miss Marple. I've read the book and had to watch both tv versions to finally figure it out, but well worth it.
PS - The book actually led to the solution of an attempted murder.
Wow - that book should win awards for your closing sentence alone. There is a court play of her's that I really want to get my hands on but can't think of the title just now. I believe it was adapted into a film also,
@@IrishGuyReacts Christie wrote a short story which she adapted into a play under the title Witness For The Prosecution, which was then made into a movie in 1957. THIS is the best version. Another version, basically a scene-for-scene remake with different actors in 1985, was not bad but the actress playing the role originally done by Marlene Dietrich (who was German) had a forced German accent) (Dietrich is wonderfully parodied in Blazing Saddles.)
There is another version, quite different and really awful, under the same name.
@@IrishGuyReacts Christie worked in a hospital pharmacy during both world wars acquired a great knowledge of poisons, one of which featured in the Pale Horse as hitherto publically known. Someone read the book and said "holy cow, these are MY symptoms, too. I'm being poisoned."
@@johnnehrich9601 That's the one. I plan to watch the film for the channel along with reading the play.
Great Movie, they say this is a semi remake of Shane, I don't see it per se, Clint never does that without giving full credit, but he has said t was in that same vein. A western that is a bit overlooked is *The Naked Spur* starring Jimmy Stewart as a bounty hunter, its really good, and shot in Technicolor, so MGM made sure this film one of the nicer looking films of the early 50s.
Apart from the ending I don't see similarities to "Shane" either.
My reaction to "The Naked Spur" should be up this week.
@@IrishGuyReacts Ahhhhh, you are ahead of me, did you know that young lady was the one who played in Psycho. Hard to tell without knowing her name, had a little more meat on the bones. Robert Ryan, the villain was in a lot of Film Noir movies.
Yea, in the remake they go way over the top, its like a love affair as they move toward the train🤣. Whereas with Ford, it was more like, I saved your life because you saved mine, Ill break out anyway, I respect your principles, which go both ways.
If you dig westerns, check out a great one from 2003 (I think?) called "Open Range." directed by Kevin Costner and starring Costner, Robert Duvall and Annette Bening. Despite the great cast, it got missed by far too many people and just fell through the cracks somehow. It's a terrific film and I expect you might really like it, even if the main villain is Irish.
Great shout! It's on my watchlist. Last night I added it to my March schedule. Thanks for the suggestion 👍
@@IrishGuyReacts Not at all. Any time you have a western with Robert Duvall in it, you've already won.
@@Salguine He was fantastic in Lonesome Dove!
I don't know how complicated it is to get a work visa, but I would advise anyone with an Irish accent to try out for Westerns. The Irish, Scottish, & English accents were prominent from recent immigration in the Old West Days. So having authentic Irish speakers takes the authenticity up a notch. The part of Los Angeles, CA. used to be predominantly Irish -American and there was usually a grandparent with an Irish accent up until about 1980 somewhere in the hood. Poor, Catholics, big families... fit right in.
Would absolutely love to! Become such a big fan of the Western genre since starting this channel. I've recently started writing a Western play.
There's always an Irish bartender or Shop Keep. The Bartender usually has a sawed off shot gun at the ready. @@IrishGuyReacts
Happy Xmas. Enjoying your work
Happy Christmas. Thanks for the kind words.
You should checkout " The Bishop's Wife" . A great Christmas movie to react to. Nice channel.
It lost out on a poll but I intend to do it for Christmas next year.
I have always thought that this movie is what High Plains Drifter wanted to be. In real life Richard Kiel (Jaws) in his later years became a born again christian and worked with a lay ministry trying to help the people of the street. I have always thought that the spur thing goes back to the big days of the TV westerns where the heroes would sneak around with their spurs jangling like bells on a harness for a wagon and nobody would notice them. I think it’s just a bit of poking fun at Hollywood. If you want another western movie that spends a lot of time in the winter watch Jeremiah Johnson. It more or less follows the true story of a western hero.
I enjoyed High Plains Drifter but this one was more enjoyable for me. The Preacher was a more welcoming character.
Jeremiah Johnson is another on the watchlist 👍
@@IrishGuyReacts I feel that the Preacher was a better developed character thus making for a better filled out story. The movie flows pretty seamlessly from start to finish. It does start with a mystery and end with a mystery but that doesn’t detract from the story in my opinion.
Not sure I'd call "Liver Eatin'" Johnson a hero, though he was certainly a man of his times. The screen version misses a lot of the reality behind the story.
I have to admit to always being puzzled (and even a little disappointed) in Pale Rider. To me it seemed to be a re-doing of High Plains Drifter: an other-worldly gunman shows up and vanquishes the town oppressors and kills those he seemed to have an unresolved vendetta with from the past. I do like to acknowledge the homage to Shane -- the early fight involving an ax handle.
No doubt there are similarities. But maybe because I felt this was an improvement on High Plains Drifter is why I happened to enjoy it quite a lot. The conclusion definitely brings a reminder of the ending of Shane
No doubt - also Megan calling out to the Preacher at the end is very Shanesque. How many times did John Wayne and Howard Hawkes remake the same movie? (Rio Lobo, Eldorado, Rio Bravo). Since the short stories of Bret Harte in the mid-late nineteenth century, many westerns follow one of only a handful of plots. He invented the Western genre in literature, mostly from his time in the Gold Rush of California (The Luck of Roaring Camp, Tennessee's Partner, An Ingenue of The Sierras, The Outcasts of Poker Flat, etc.) and cinema followed suite.
Hello does anyone know if this movie 🎥 is on TH-cam please thank you
As far as I know it's only available to rent on TH-cam.
I was in Palm Springs when this movie came out in the theatre and I got to see an early screening (Charity Event) of Pale Rider. Great Movie even though the AC alone was worth the price of admission.
Class! Were you a fan of Eastwood at the time? I imagine it must have been a real buzz for Eastwood fans given it had been a decade since he last did a Western.
Shane...
The ending has a strong similarity
This has always been my favorite Clint Eastwood movie. Unforgiving and Grand Torino are right up there too though.
Delighted to see it is so high up on your list. A few days on I find myself liking this film more and more.
I need to get around to watching Gran Torino.
So was he real or was he a Ghost?
I certainly interpreted him as a ghost/spiritual figure. But I really like that it's left ambiguous.
@@IrishGuyReacts
Makes sense. You know, not enough people have done reacts to Star Trek, The Original Series. It is so well written. Have you thought about doing it?
It's funny you mention that as I've strongly been considering watching the Original Series going into the New Year. Next Generation is my all time favourite tv show but I've seen virtually nothing from the 60's show nor any of the movies that followed. There would need to be an alteration to the schedule to fit them in weekly. I might pop up a poll at the end of the year and see how it turns out.
I always took this as an unofficial sequel to "High Plains Drifter".........
@@CoastalNomad Definitely could look at it that way. Do you think it's supposed to be the same figure?
Sorry I got to your reaction 2 days late, but I wanted to watch it again because I hadn't seen it in a long time and to be honest with you I didn't like it then and didn't now because it's such a derivative version of SHANE with an added supernatural element that I find its reach exceeding its grasp although it's well-acted and photographed with a good score, but I'd say I much prefer High Plains Drifter which would be the Western Ingmar Bergman would have directed if he ever wanted to do a Western. But as I say it's such a Shane copycat that is confused about its central drama. About 25% of it i think has well-done scenes that contain real heart, but in the long run its intentions are confused and derivative.
I can see the parallels to "High Plains Drifter". "Shane", I thought the ending was definitely a nod to it but I didn't really feel much of a similarity than that. Then again, I've only seen "Shane" once.
@@IrishGuyReactsoh, it's teeming with Shane "references".
I saw this in the theater when it came out. I liked it a lot back then, but less so today. The savior trope rings false for me.
I always welcome the honest views. I loved the figure of The Preacher. He was different to the figure in High Plains Drifter who it wasn't as easy to support (Not that a film always has to have a pure hero/protagonist)
Clint Eastwood's worst Western. A pallid remake of "Shane". Can't stand the cast, either. Carrie Snodgrass is well past her expiration date here, and Michael Moriarty is better suited to tv dramas.
I loved it personally. Probably number 4 for me of Eastwood's Westerns. Still to see Hang 'Em High and Outlaw Josey Wales