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"Conagher" as with most of star Sam Elliott's westerns, is a realistic looking western complete with dimly lit saloons, and wide open spaces.
The Teale family arrives at their remote little ranch in the middle of no where. The father Jacob (Billy Green Bush) has built them a house (with no floors) but all embrace their new home. The wife Evie (Katherine Ross) and the two kids, Laban (Cody Braun) and Ruthie (Anndi McAfee) are left behind as Jacob goes off to buy cattle in a far off town. Unfortunately, he meets with an accident and dies in the wilderness leaving his family to fend for themselves.
Temporary help arrives in the form of an offer from a stagecoach company to provide relay station services while the new station is being built. The company sends a herd of horses to act as relief teams for the coaches. They are herded in by an amiable drifter known as Conagher (Elliott) who takes notice of Evie unaware that her husband is dead.
Later, a group of Indians attack the small house with Evie and the children holding them off until the stage coach arrives to provide help. Led by driver Charlie McLeod (Barry Corbin) the group drives the Indians away. McLeod informs Evie that the new relay station is about complete and therefore she will lose her income from providing relay station services.
Conagher meanwhile, takes a job with rancher Tay (Ken Curtis) who is having trouble with a rival ranch known as Ladder Five. Also working for Tay are Chris Mahler (Gavin O'Herlihy) and young Johnny McGivern (Daniel Quinn). The Ladder Five is trying to drive Tay out of business by rustling his cattle. Mahler leaves Tay for Ladder Five leaving only Conagher and Johnny to carry on.
Laban spots Ladder Five riders near his home with rustled cattle. Conagher goes after them. He ultimately catches up to Parnell (James Gammon) and his gang but is wounded in the process. He visits the Teales and gets young Laban to help him drive the rustles cattle to town for sale. Evie being very lonely has written little poems and attached them to tumbleweeds which Conagher just happens to find from time to time. Even though Evie looks longingly at Conagher, he rides away.
In town he is challenged to a fight by Mahler who has been looking for trouble ever since he bolted from the Tay ranch. A fierce battle between the men ensues and..............................................................................
A good western is spoiled somewhat by the corny ending. However it really looks like a western set in the post Civil War era. The set pieces are authentic looking as are the dusty trails and scenic vistas. And if ever there was a real looking cowpoke, it has got to be Sam Elliott with that large swallow tail mustache.
This was the final film for Ken Curtis who passed away shortly after this film was completed.
score 8/10
bsmith5552 12 September 2019
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5116078/ |
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6-4-2021 02:54:23