PALE RIDER is a breathtakingly beautiful movie to watch due to its being filmed in the mountains of Idaho. With just a touch of snow now and again, the picture looks almost like a travel brochure! Interestingly enough, the movie is supposed to be set in Northern California! While apart from the pretty location, there isn't a whole lot new or innovative about this film, though the sum total of the parts make for a dandy picture. Sure, the film very heavily borrows from SHANE (particularly with the very end--I almost expected the girl to yell out "Come back, SHANE!!!" instead of "I love you") as well as Clint Eastwood's other Westerns--particularly FISTFUL OF DOLLARS. But, despite all this and knowing where the picture is going, this movie is an absolute standout film.

Particularly noteworthy is the acting by Michael Moriarty. He does a marvelous job of playing an ordinary man who is willing to stand up for himself--especially with the help of Eastwood. Eastwood's character, not unexpectedly, is an enigma--sort of like the "man with no name" in his much earlier films. Here, he is just known as "the preacher", though many times throughout the film it seems pretty unlikely he is a man of the cloth. After all, for a preacher, he does some mighty fine shooting and drinks whiskey (though not to excess, mind you). Perhaps he is supposed to be an ex-gunfighter who has taken the call. The ambiguity of the man actually is a good thing--as it allows the viewer the chance to think instead of having this spoon-fed to him or her. Richard Dysart, the late Christopher Penn, Richard Kiel and the rest do a fine job of support.

About the only part of the film that just didn't ring true was the tiny portion of the film when the young girl went for a ride on the mule. Right in the middle of a MAJOR feud, she just wanders into the camp of the enemy and almost gets raped!! This part is just too dumb and inexplicable to understand. Removing it from the film would certainly tighten up and improve the film.

Now, a comment about the music. Unlike the "Spaghetti Westerns" Eastwood made in the 60s, this film has a very minimalistic score. The over-the-top and crazy music from these earlier films was exciting and cool in a silly way. This much quieter film score seemed more appropriate for an older and wiser Eastwood. Both were about perfect for each type of film.

Finally, although this movie is rated R, I really cannot understand why. Sure there's some gun-play and a couple guys get bullets in the head. BUT, the film really isn't that explicit and could have easily been rated PG-13 or possibly even PG! The language isn't a problem either and there is no nudity in the film. About the only objectionable content might be when a girl is almost raped, but I would feel comfortable if I let my teens see the film.

As much as I like Pale Rider, I cannot believe the author of the novel Shane that the classic film is based on didn't sue for plagiarism. The only thing I can think of is that he must have allowed the copyright to lapse.

Clint Eastwood reworked the plot of Shane to fit a mining camp located in a canyon where a big mine owner is looking to take over. The film opens with hired help of the mine owner, Richard Dysart, running through the place, shooting it up and causing general mayhem.

Clint with clerical collar displayed is called 'The Preacher' although you see no sermons in this film. He's pretty handy with whatever it takes, fists, clubs and a six gun and upon his arrival in town helps out miner Michael Moriarty who is being set upon by five of Dysart's men. Moriarty ever so grateful takes him home to meet his intended and her daughter, Carrie Snodgrass and Sydney Penny.

Alan Ladd's Shane was a quiet peaceable sort whose manner belied his skill with a weapon. Clint Eastwood's Preacher is borrowed a whole lot from his character in High Plains Drifter. As a preacher, he must definitely favor the angry old vengeful Deity of the Old Testament. None of these bad guys gets much of a chance at redemption.

Pale Rider is Clint Eastwood's homage to Shane redone to fit his style of western hero. Definitely not your parent's Shane.

Here's another eerily evocative western from the undisputed master of the genre. PALE RIDER might well be my favourite Eastwood western yet: it's a perfectly made movie in which the star is at the top of his career both in terms of direction and acting. The plot itself is nothing remarkable – poor gold panners are hassled by a big wig business boss and a mysterious stranger turns up to fight for their cause – but it's the execution where this film excels. With a beautiful backdrop of mountainous scenery and a talented supporting cast, Eastwood delivers one of the finest westerns of the 1980s.

I particularly enjoyed Eastwood's turn as the unnamed preacher in this one. It's a reprise of a similar character he played in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER, although his origins here are perhaps even more mysterious (he shows up when one of the characters prays to God for a miracle). Michael Moriarty, the archetypal quirky star of '80s genre fare, has possibly his most sympathetic role as the family man striving to do good who finds himself outnumbered by the bad guys. Carrie Snodgress gives sterling support as the backbone of his family, and the beautiful young Sydney Penny is captivating as his young, innocent daughter. The bad guys are well supported, too, with a brief show-stopping turn from Richard Kiel, Chris Penn playing a typical sleaze, Richard Dysart as the bluff businessman, and the excellent John Russell as the sinister lawman with whom Eastwood's character has a score to settle.

The story plays out pretty much as you'd expect, but there's an emphasis on plot and character over lame shoot-outs. The action, when it occurs, is stylishly done (early on our hero kicks backside with a piece of wood in a scene that would act as inspiration for Steven Seagal's entire career),with the traditional shoot-out at the climax particularly accomplished. Overall, this is a moving production, with believable characters and a story arc that doesn't disappoint. An underrated favourite.