Steve McQueen is his pentultimate role before succumbing to cancer stars in the somber biographical film "Tom Horn". Horn, a legendary cowboy, Indian scout and wizard with a rifle rides his way into Wyoming territory near the turn of the 20th century.
Cattle rancher John Coble played in an effective measured fashion by western veteran Richard Farnsworth recognizes his talent and hires Horn to work on his ranch. He introduces him to the local cattleman's association which was been plagued by rustling. They give him free reign and backing by the local marshall Joe Belle to rid the territory of the cattle thieves by whatever means deemed appropriate including death.
The association soon tire of Horn's violent techniques and plan to get rid of him. They railroad him without the backing of Farnsworth by accusing him of the murder of an innocent local youth who had been herding sheep. A sham trial is convened to convict him of murder.
The story of "Tom Horn" is representative of the transformation in our country from the days of the old west. Horn is symbolic of an era that no longer fits within the shrinking frontier. Horn love interest, a school teacher played by Linda Evans also forsakes him unwilling to be seduced into his now obsolete violent lifestyle. The movie serves as a sad commentary on society's unwillingness to allow freedom and equality for those that don't fit a prescribed mold in a changing world.
McQueen and Farnsworth were naturals for their respective roles. Slim Pickens playing sheriff Sam Creedmore, as usual gives an authentic portrayal of a denizen of these times.
A mesmerizing first hour, but then falters for the remainder of the film.
This review is for the Warner Brothers DVD released in 2005.
The movie is based on a true story. Western cowboy Tom Horn (Steve McQueen) has a well-known reputation as fearless fighter for just causes. The setting is circa 1901 in Wyoming and Horn rides into a small town. After displaying his toughness in several confrontations, a local rancher named John Coble (Richard Farnsworth) hires Horn to stop a cattle-rustling problem that has been plaguing his ranch for sometime. Horn agrees to work for him and carries out justice in his own way. He does a great job for Coble - almost too good and then Horn is faced with a different set of problems.
The first hour of the movie is terrific with plenty of action and excitement. It's a stunning visual presentation of Steve McQueen in a beautiful Western setting, playing a character who enforces the law his way with excitement and skill. But then the last 35 minutes of the film is sedated and ambiguous when the story goes in a completely different direction. Furthermore in this last segment, the character Tom Horn appears punchless and apathetic. Since it is based on a true story, he may have really behaved this way, and that's fine, but that part of the story should have been condensed down to 3 or 5 minutes and stayed with the prior theme for a longer duration. The film has plenty of merits, but the screen writing for the last part was poorly done and cripples the mood of the entire movie.
As for the DVD, it's a sharp and pristine widescreen color presentation. The audio is excellent. Only two bonuses: the trailer and a `Wanted Dead or Alive' promotion.
Movie: B-
DVD Quality: A
Sad Next-to-Last McQueen Film
"Tom Horn" is a difficult film to watch at times knowing what we now know of the painful debilitating illness that star Steve McQueen suffered in his last years of life. I recall at the time of the film's release it didn't get very good reviews but time has been kind to this film. For starters, it's obvious that McQueen was in poor health when this film was made,particularly in the sequences that are more physically demanding. He appears gaunt and fatigued. They film him in shadowy lighting and in many cases it appears that doubles are employed. It's in the latter half of the film, though, that McQueen's physical state adds dimension to his role. The second half is devoted to Horn's circus trial for the murder of a boy. The way Horn comported himself in the past made him a hero in the "old" west. In the "new" west his methods are out-of-step and barbaric. Horn seems resigned in the face of this acrimony to accept that he is a man out of time. Though not quite of the same calibre this film brings to my mind John Wayne's final film, "The Shootist". To appreciate this film I think one has to familiarize yourself with McQueen's essential work. That said, this film stands as a fine elegy for a most outstanding career.
Although there are some that will say that this movie is too contrived and predictable, I will say to them that this is a perfect example of good movie making that seems to have slipped away.
You don't have overdone special effects or gratuitous sex and violence, but a very good script with quality actors doing a very good job.
Yes, you have insinuated sex, such as the scene between Ann-Margret and Steve McQueen, but there was absolutely no nudity. Kind of like when radio used to make you use your imagination, whereas television and movies these days seem to resemble "chewing gum for the brain."
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