Synopsis: Old West legendary cowboy's struggles with the emerging New West
Director: William Wiard
Actors: Steve McQueen, Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Slim Pickens
Date: 1980
How viewed: Lovefilm
Rating: 3/5
David Meyer says:
Tom Horn takes place during that narrow and neglected time-slice between the Old West and the new, where only the finest westerns dare tread.
I say:
Tom Horn was a legendary tracker, marksman and gun-for-hire, and the film is based on his autobiography, written whilst awaiting execution for a murder he probably didn't commit. The story covers the last couple of years of his life (around 1901-3), when, after drifting into a small town, he is hired by the local Cattle Association members to put a stop to all the cattle rustling. He does this simply by shooting any rustlers. The Association realise this is bad publicity for them, and want out. Then a young kid is shot, and either Tom killed him, or he was set up - either way, he seems resigned that he will be hanged. I feel this could have a much better movie - McQueen seems somewhat distant (and his long hair looks strange), there's an annoying superfluous love interest, and some strange jump cuts in the film. On the positive side of course there's the wonderful Richard Farnsworth and Slim Pickens, and the depiction of the period (evolving from Old to New West) feel very authentic (for example, the Cattle Association eat lobster at their dinner). There's one great quote (referring to Horn's lassoing skills): 'He sure don't rope like a Christian' - what??
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