Rugged western deserves more attention...
CHARLTON HESTON steps away from his "Moses" and "Ben Hur" characterizations to give a solid performance as a Montana cowhand who gives shelter to a woman and her boy in his log cabin during a snowy Montana winter. Visually, the film is a standout with gorgeous vistas of snowy landscapes and the chill of winter felt inside the cabin as the man and woman gradually fall in love.JOAN HACKETT is fine as the strong-hearted woman with the boy clinging to her, left behind by her husband and glad for some company when Heston lets them stay with him. But, of course, we have to have the villains and there are several--BRUCE DERN and MATT CLARK are the bad boy sons of "Preacher Quint" (DONALD PLEASENCE), who plays his role with maniacal glee and an evil squint in his eyes. The plot pits Heston, the woman and the boy against these intruders intent on holding them hostage while his sons have their way with Hackett.
CHARLTON HESTON and JOAN HACKETT both give strong, believable performances under Tom Gries' direction--and I understand Heston considers it one of his favorite roles. LEE MAJORS, BEN JOHNSON and SLIM PICKENS round out the supporting cast.
The climactic scenes have the sort of resolution that reminds one of SHANE, another great western about a loner who decides he has to be true to his own nature, leaving the story without the usual conventional Hollywood ending.
Well worth watching.
score 7/10
Doylenf 6 January 2007
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1565503/34927
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