Pale Rider (1985)

Here's a Link To The Movie Trailer:Pale Rider

"Pale Rider" is one of Clint Eastwood's westerns. He directed it, and is he also plays the main character in it. A mysterious preacher with an unknown name. That idea in itself should be enough to make you want to run to Blockbuster and find this movie! But for those of you who need more convincing, just keep reading.

A group of "tinpans" or in other words gold panners have made a camp on their claim. But someone else wants the claim for them self. Coy LaHood (played by Richard Dysart) wants to run them off what is rightfully theirs. He sends his men to raid the camp and in the process of raiding it they kill off one girls dog. Her name is Megan Wheeler (played by Sydney Penny), and she buries her dog and prays to God for a miracle. Well that is where Mr. Eastwood rides in to save the day as a whiskey drinkin', bible preachin', gunslingin', reverend!

This film was actually based on a book, also called "Pale Rider" you can get a copy of it off of Amazon for pretty cheap, I ordered one for a penny, though shipping was about 4 dollars, just because I love westerns and needed some good western books to read.

I enjoy the majority of Clint's westerns, at least the one's I've seen thus far which have been a lot. And this one is pretty close to the top of my favorite western's by him. Unlike John Wayne western's this western takes on the usual tone of Clint western's which is cynical. Evil is real and this world is full of it. This movie actually has some pretty good values, one of those values being "spirit ain't spit without some exercise". It takes work to get things done it's never just handed to us. And personally I agree with this, I am a Christian so i can relate to some of the struggles that some of the personalities in this movie dealt with. Struggling with your faith for one, wanting a sign from God wanting him to show that he's there. The preacher is the answer from God for the "tinpanners", he gives them hope. But the camps people soon find out that they have to find strength in themselves and not just rely souly on Clint Eastwood to do everything for them, because he can't stay there to fight all their battles.

The one complaint I have about this movie is that Clint has premarital sex with someone in it, though I wont say who. It does not show anything, it is only implied but the fact that he does this contradicts what he supposedly stands for, and is an unnecessary Hollywood element suggesting that lust is love. For some this wont be a problem but If you are religious that will annoy you, but should not stop you from still loving this movie especially considering the good points outweigh that single downfall. All in all I love this movie and I think you will to, I give it a 4 out of 5.

New Rating System.
(1 = Not Worth One Second of Your Time)
(2 = Was almost a good movie, but still not worth it)
(3 = Definitely entertaining and enjoyable, neutral)
( 4 = It is worth your time, but if you don't watch it you wont die from guilt.)
(5 = Must See Western)