Shot on location in Sun Valley, Idaho, and to some esteem to "Shane," "Pale Rider" succeeded with sweeping landscapes and magnificent cinematography, to be an interesting Western that helps to bring back something from Eastwood's mystique
In 1850 California, a small group squatters and their families find themselves terrorized by Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart), who are standing win the way of his progress
Desperate, LaHood begins using violence in an unsuccessful attempt to run the peaceful yet determined homesteaders from their land
Leading the homesteaders is a decent man Hull Barret (Michael Moriarty), who dreams of a better life for himself, his girlfriend Sarah Wheeler (Carrie Snodgress) and her lovely daughter from a previous marriage, 14-year-old Meagan (Sydney Penny).
Into the lives of these strong-willed people rides a mysterious mantall and lean with something strange in his eyes known only as "The Preacher" (Clint Eastwood). He says little, divulges nothing of his past, but for a man wearing a clerical collar he seems an expert at handling weapons
He pulls the miners together and gives them the confidence to defy LaHood even in the face of mounting violence...
Although both Sarah and her daughter become enamored of the pale preacher, he gently rejects their advances and makes them see that Hull is a less capable but far better man
There is a good scene when Spider Conwaywent into town alone and running out of steaminvited LaHood to come out and have a drink with him
But instead Stockburn and his deputies came out asking him to dance
Richard Dysart creates an all-too-believable villain, and Western veteran John Russell is well-cast as a middle-aged mercenary and his hired guns to face a legendary hero
It's an old score and it's time settle it
