Comes a Horseman

Starring:James Caan, Jane Fonda, Jason Robards, George Grizzard, Richard Farnsworth, Jim Davis, Mark Harmon, Macon McCalman, Basil Hoffman, James Kline, James Keach, Clifford A. Pellow, Allan Baker (III)
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Richard Farnsworth received an Oscar nomination for this 1978 film, directed by the late Alan J. Pakula. He plays an aging ranch hand in the late 1940s, working for Jane Fonda. She's being pressured by her greedy neighbor, Jason Robards, to sell him her land--this after he has had her father murdered to expedite the sale. Robards wants the land because he knows it's full of oil, but he's not about to tell her that. Rather, he relentlessly strong-arms her and the rest of his neighbors, resorting to violence and killing when he doesn't get his way, knowing he's already bought the cooperation of the law. But Fonda, aided by returning World War II veteran and cowpuncher James Caan, stands up to Robards, setting off an almost biblically violent confrontation. Comes a Horseman was sumptuously photographed by Gordon Willis, who captures the true sweep of the wide open spaces, and strong acting overcomes what charitably could be described as a stately pace. As for Farnsworth, he brings a tastily understated quality to the role of the old cowpoke who knows he's signed on for his last roundup but has the grit to stick it out. --Marshall Fine

Description

Jane Fonda and James Caan give stirring performances as an unlikely couple forced to fight for possession of their land in this sweeping and "enormously beautiful" (Newsweek) modern-day western. Comes A Horseman is an unforgettable saga of unrelenting action, adventure and romance on the American frontier. When a lovely widow (Fonda) is pressured to sell her failing cattleranch to her unscrupulous and powerful ex-lover (Jason Robards), she enlists the aid of an antagonistic neighbor (Caan) in a desperate attempt to restore the ranch's fortunes. With great skill and determination, the duo struggle to rope enough cattle to pay off their debts...but their problems are just beginning. Driven by a deep-felt rage against their adversaryand a growing affection for each otherthey stand tall against stampedes, betrayal and sabotage...and triumph with shotguns blazing in a dramatic climax of nerve-shattering intensity.

Customer Reviews:

When Comes The End Of This Movie?.......2006-09-23

This is a very tedious movie about a female rancher played by Jane Fonda who is trying to eek out a living. At the same time she is trying to atone for fornicating with THE BAD GUY which broke her daddy's heart.So she kinda has her hands full. Then James Cann arrives all shot up and she has to be a nurse too!Then the two of them along with their elderly ranch hand try to drive cattle and make a good sale.This movie is only redeemed by the wonderful performance of veteran actor Richard Farnsworth who I understand started his career as a stuntman. J.R. Ewing's Daddy is also in thus movie with the unlikely name of "Julie".

Comes a Horseman.......2004-09-25

COMES A HORSEMAN is a romance wrapped in a western. The local cattle baron (Jason Robards) wants to drive out rancher Jane Fonda, who has hired on local wrangler James Caan to help her make it through one more hard year. Complicating things in this World War II era tale is the oil company that wants everybody's land.
With some truly beautiful wide angle photography, a plethora of establishing shots and a dearth of tight close ups, COMES A HORSEMAN is an more an actor's than an editor's movie that works as well as it does because it has an excellent cast at the top of their game. Director Alan Pakula often pulls the camera back and allows his actors room to discover their character and the meaning of the scene.
I only had two problems with this movie. I felt the ending, the final confrontation between bad guy Robards and good gal Fonda, was a bit contrived . The other problem was a puzzler - weren't their any doctors in cattle country America in 1945? A couple of characters get busted up pretty badly in the course of things and they're dumped into a bed with a damp handkerchief on the forehead with nary a doctor in sight. It didn't bother me much when Caan was laid up without professional medical care, but I hated to see poor Dodger (Richard Farnsworth) treated in such a manner.

Dark and hauting western.very underated.......2002-10-18

This is another fine example of a very underated film release during late 70s ,starring the legendary James Caan , the always superb Jane Fonda and jason Robard in a truly great villian role.They dont make this kind of film anymore.Buy the DVD and judge yourself.Dont expect to see a slam bang action western,there is a fist fight and gun fight but fast and stylishly done by the director.A cinematic masterpiece

Dark and hauting western.very underated.......2002-10-18

Compromises some Performances.......2001-12-13

An okay movie that could have been a great one. Certainly, the cast is not to be faulted. "Julia" co-stars and co-Oscar nominees Jane Fonda and Jason Robards again ignite sparks as cattle ranchers battling nature, economic changes, and - most notably - each other in the closing years of World War II; James Caan offers one of his most sensitively understated performances as the newcomer who becomes embroiled in their conflict. And the supporting cast is beyond reproach. There's fine work from stage and screen veteran George Grizzard, Jim Davis (Jock Ewing on TV's "Dallas), and Mark Harmon; and a particularly touching performance by the marvelous Richard Farnsworth as Fonda's aging sidekick and former mentor. Other big plusses are some gorgeous locations and stunning set decorations, all beautifully photographed by cinematographer Gordon Willis.

Now ... if only the film editor had been more alert! Because Willis' breathtaking camerawork eventually turns out to be a near-fatal liability in the wrong hands. There are many instances in which the film needs to cut to a series of close-ups or at least a medium shot of the actors so that the audience can stay connected to the human drama; however, the editor remains resolutely focused on the grandeur of the scenery, leaving the viewer emotionally distant and uninvolved. This problem is compounded by the inappropriateness of Michael Small's musical score. Too often the music seems to be desperately competing for the viewer's attention, always at the expense of the actors and the screenplay. Halfway into the two-hour running time, the unrelentingly majestic visual and aural backgounds were becoming annoying irritations; before the closing credits they had developed into full-fledged nuisances.

On balance, I have to admit that the film is worth a look ... especially in the widescreen format offered on the DVD release. The disc includes the Original Theatrical Trailer (which, by the way, does offer some great editing!), and a very high quality film-to-video transfer with clear, crisp sound. If only the film could be recut and rescored, then reissued as a "Director's Special Edition". Unquestionably, there's a pony buried somewhere underneath this mess! **-1/2 stars

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