Monte Walsh (1970)

My Review

“Monte Walsh” is a western drama about two aging cowboys who must come to terms with the closing of the frontier in the 1890’s and the subsequent end of their employment opportunities. Director William A. Fraker put together a poignant western with good performances, high production values, interesting character development, and cinematographer David M. Walsh’s excellent work in scenic Arizona. The screenplay was written by David Zelag Goodman and Lukas Heller. In charge of the excellent musical score was John Barry of “James Bond” fame.

The cast includes Lee Marvin, Jack Palance, Jeanne Moreau, Jim Davis, Mitchell Ryan, G. D. Spradlin, Michael Conrad, Bo Hopkins, Ted Gehring, and Jack Colvin. The watchable “Monte Walsh” was less than successful at the box office for Cinema Center Films, Landers-Roberts Productions, and National General Pictures. A made-for-television remake was released in 2003, also called “Monte Walsh,” starring Tom Selleck and Isabella Rossellini.