Comes a Horseman ***½ (1978, Jane Fonda, Jason Robards, James Caan, George Grizzard, Richard Farnsworth, Jim Davis, Mark Harmon) – Classic Movie Review 6379

Director Alan J Pakula’s 1978 modern-day 1940s-set Western is impressive and relishable, even if it is not entirely successful.

Jane Fonda and James Caan play Ella Connors and ‘Buck’ Athearn, Montana ranch-owners who fight wicked land-baron ‘J.W.’ Ewing (Jason Robards Jr), Ella’s corrupt ex suitor who is trying to grab her land.

Comes a Horseman is an enjoyable modern-day trot through the cowboy clichés, with dependable performances, confident staging by director Pakula and (perhaps best of all) dazzling Technicolor cinematography of the eye-catching scenery in Arizona and Colorado by Gordon Willis.

Richard Farnsworth, Oscar-nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role, steals the show again as an aged cowhand called Dodger.

Some of Pakula’s pacing and Dennis Lynton Clark’s scripting are a bit dodgy, but otherwise this is an exciting, pleasing movie.

Also in the cast are George Grizzard, Jim Davis, Mark Harmon, Macon McCalman, Basil Hoffman, James Kline and James Keach.

It is produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler, scored by Michael Small and designed by George Jenkins.

It reunites Pakula with his Klute (1971) star Fonda. Caan and Farnsworth both appeared in Misery (1990).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6379

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