McCrea and Scott's Final Blaze of Glory
Added 11/14/2009
"All I want is to enter my house justified." - Joel McCrea
Firmly established as Western stars in the 1950s, Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea hung up their spurs with this American classic. Masterfully directed by Sam Peckinpah, "Ride the High Country" (1962) is a work of visual and philosophical beauty. Released the same year as John Ford's wistful "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," the film centers on two aging gunmen confronted by a changing and uncertain West. In a fitting valedictory, the veteran presence of Scott and McCrea takes on a mythic power that resonates long after the poignant conclusion. Spectacular cinematography by the great Lucien Ballard, with a colorful supporting cast featuring Peckinpah regulars Warren Oates and L.Q. Jones. Perhaps the maverick director's finest Western.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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An Overlooked Classic
Added 9/23/2009
This film is both very original and conventional at the same time . All great films contain messages ,this one is no different .honor between men, the death of the wild west, the treatment of women , temptation, betrayal, and redemption are prominent themes.Also a powerful musical score reenforces the action..........I defy anyone to be unmoved by the final sequence ....Sincerely, Coach Joel
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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"All I want is to enter my house justified."
Added 8/17/2009
This classic Western is truly one of Sam Peckinpah's best films. The acting by Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott make the movie very enjoyable. The camera work by Lucien Ballard of the 'High Country' is just excellent. Also, the dialogue is a very strong point to the film and the delivery by the two old pros is sometimes very funny, other times very poignant. Also some of the villains are played by some truly excellent character actors: Warren Oates and L.Q. Jones ,in particular. Mariette Hartley is also quite good as the main female character.
The way the main characters have to deal with getting older is deftly done. The ending is one of the best in any Western film. All Western fans must see this film as it is truly toward the top of the genre. Films in 1962 or now don't get much better than 'High Country'.
The DVD has clear picture and sound plus a really wonderful Commentary done by Peckinpah historians who really add interesting info on the making of the film and the story behind it.
Highly Recommended! They really don't make movies like this anymore!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Not As Good as Remembered
Added 1/31/2009
This is a great movie whenever Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott are alone on the screen. The rest of the cast is very weak. The decors smack of the 60's as do the costumes and make-up. The dance hall girls do not look turn of the century and the Chinese restaurant is made of materials that did not exist in 1900. So I enjoyed seeing two great stars act together but was disappointed bt the rest.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Ride The High Country
Added 10/28/2008
In many ways RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY is a tribute to two great western stars-McCrea and Scott. It is a story of two aging, former lawmen who are good friends.
Both of them are just doing what they can to get by day by day, to survive a changing world. What they have left is their memories, their sense of pride, and their integrity.
Their integrity is tested throughout the film. Sometimes, integrity is tested when the temptation of gold is tossed into the stew pot of life. Lying under the stars on an old saddle, covered by a worn blanket and suffering aching joints, the memory of a righteous life tends to fade. The lure of quick riches, a hot bath in a royal hotel, a set of new clothes and a descent meal intrude into the dreams. Dreams are often an echo of hidden desires and unrequited realities.
George Bassman's overture is a haunting mix of inspirational western music and subtle hints of a requiem. The music reaches its climax in the last scenes.
Sam Peckinpah's direction took the western genre into a new direction. It presented a morality tale with flawed human beings who struggled with their demons and the desire to do what is right. This western world is a harsh, brutal, cold and violent place where religion and sinful human nature play off each other. The good guys and the bad guys are not so clear-cut. There are no white and black hats.
In summary: the film is a soliloquy to the western.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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McCrea and Scott's Final Blaze of Glory
Added 11/14/2009
"All I want is to enter my house justified." - Joel McCrea
Firmly established as Western stars in the 1950s, Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea hung up their spurs with this American classic. Masterfully directed by Sam Peckinpah, "Ride the High Country" (1962) is a work of visual and philosophical beauty. Released the same year as John Ford's wistful "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," the film centers on two aging gunmen confronted by a changing and uncertain West. In a fitting valedictory, the veteran presence of Scott and McCrea takes on a mythic power that resonates long after the poignant conclusion. Spectacular cinematography by the great Lucien Ballard, with a colorful supporting cast featuring Peckinpah regulars Warren Oates and L.Q. Jones. Perhaps the maverick director's finest Western.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
An Overlooked Classic
Added 9/23/2009
This film is both very original and conventional at the same time . All great films contain messages ,this one is no different .honor between men, the death of the wild west, the treatment of women , temptation, betrayal, and redemption are prominent themes.Also a powerful musical score reenforces the action..........I defy anyone to be unmoved by the final sequence ....Sincerely, Coach Joel
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
"All I want is to enter my house justified."
Added 8/17/2009
This classic Western is truly one of Sam Peckinpah's best films. The acting by Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott make the movie very enjoyable. The camera work by Lucien Ballard of the 'High Country' is just excellent. Also, the dialogue is a very strong point to the film and the delivery by the two old pros is sometimes very funny, other times very poignant. Also some of the villains are played by some truly excellent character actors: Warren Oates and L.Q. Jones ,in particular. Mariette Hartley is also quite good as the main female character.
The way the main characters have to deal with getting older is deftly done. The ending is one of the best in any Western film. All Western fans must see this film as it is truly toward the top of the genre. Films in 1962 or now don't get much better than 'High Country'.
The DVD has clear picture and sound plus a really wonderful Commentary done by Peckinpah historians who really add interesting info on the making of the film and the story behind it.
Highly Recommended! They really don't make movies like this anymore!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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