Pale Rider (1985) - 4K Ultra HD Evaluation

      Pale Rider, 1985.

      Directed by Clint Eastwood.

      Starring Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, John Russell, Carrie Snodgress, Sydney Penny, Richard Dysart, Richard Kiel, Chris Penn, Charles Hallahan, Doug McGrath.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A mysterious preacher aids a small mining community that is under threat from a powerful mining company attempting to seize their land. After reinventing the Western genre in the 1960s with the Dollars trilogy and establishing a revisionist view of the genre in the 1970s with films like High Plains Drifter and The Outlaw Josey Wales, Clint Eastwood entered the 1980s exploring various genres including comedy, action, drama, and thriller. It wasn't until 1985 that he returned to the Western genre by directing and starring in Pale Rider, the only Western he would make until 1992’s Oscar-winning Unforgiven.

      On the surface, Pale Rider appears to be a conventional Western, depicting the story of a stranger coming to town and assisting ‘the little man’ against local authorities and corporations that threaten their resources. However, by this stage in his career, Eastwood was an astute filmmaker and actor, avoiding the trap of creating a formulaic Western based on a familiar narrative. Instead, he infused the project with a fresh perspective, leveraging his age and experience to direct himself in a manner that highlighted his strengths.

      These strengths are rooted in his own mythology, and Pale Rider thrives on this concept, reflecting both Eastwood's legacy and that of the Western genre. Eastwood portrays Preacher, a mysterious figure in a collar who rides into a gold mining village after it has been attacked by thugs working for local mining boss Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart). One thug shoots and kills a dog owned by a teenager named Megan (Sydney Penney), prompting her to pray for a miracle to aid her family and friends; this leads to the arrival of Preacher on his white horse, which, if you're familiar with the Bible, carries significant meaning.

      Preacher empowers the villagers to confront LaHood's intimidation tactics, but chaos erupts when LaHood summons corrupt marshal Stockburn (John Russell) and his vicious deputies to eliminate the village. Preacher alerts the villagers to the danger posed by Stockburn, who is confronted by Preacher, suggesting they may have crossed paths before, leading to a deadly confrontation.

      Over the past four decades, Pale Rider has been interpreted in various ways, and while Clint Eastwood has affirmed the identity of Preacher, the film never explicitly states it. Instead, Eastwood often positions himself in shadow, obscuring his features and rendering him more a force of nature than a mere human presence, speaking infrequently. The cinematography is striking, with Eastwood adhering to his preference for filming in autumn, which allows for richer natural light, a quality this film utilizes effectively.

      The strong supporting cast enhances Pale Rider, with Michael Moriarty delivering a sincere and appealing performance as Hull Barrett, who is pursuing Megan’s mother, Sarah (Carrie Snodgress). An awkward subplot involving Sarah, Megan, and their feelings for Preacher aims to illustrate his impact on their lives, although it feels somewhat forced and lacks depth, leaving it ambiguous and open to interpretation.

      Among the recent Clint Eastwood 4K UHD releases from Warner Bros., this edition features the best extras. Although it lacks an audio commentary, Richard Schickel appears in two included documentaries: 2010's The Eastwood Factor and 2013's Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story. Both are valuable for long-time fans, with the former offering a comprehensive overview of Eastwood's relationship with Warner Bros., his acting and directing styles, and his musical abilities. The latter focuses more on his directorial work, featuring insights from cast and crew, shedding light on Eastwood's filmmaking approach. Additionally, the documentary Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Reinventing Westerns is also included, which is found on The Outlaw Josey Wales disc.

      Overall, while Pale Rider may not share the same iconic status as The Outlaw Josey Wales or Unforgiven, it is a worthy addition to Clint Eastwood’s collection of Westerns. The narrative unfolds in such a way that not everything is apparent on the first viewing; repeated viewings reveal deeper subtext once the main story is understood. The plot's ambiguity invites discussion, a fact that can be confirmed by exploring message boards where fans continue to analyze it even after 40 years.

      The strong cast and stunning cinematography contribute significantly to the film’s impact. This is unmistakably a Clint Eastwood project, especially during a time when many middle-aged actors were finding it challenging to remain relevant amidst an influx of muscular action stars. Eastwood appears wonderfully grizzled and experienced, exuding confidence in his legendary status, which embodies what Pale Rider represents. Four decades later,