Proud Men

When it's learned that the patriarch of a ranch in the wilderness north of Los Angeles has about six months to live (Heston), his disowned son from Paris (Strauss) comes to visit at the mother's request (Nan Martin). The cause of the separation from fifteen years earlier had to do with the Vietnam War. Can they patch things up before it's too late? Alan Autry is on hand as the tough foreman of the ranch.

"Proud Men" (1987) has been described as "On Golden Pond at a Ranch," but it's more of a Western set at a Southwest ranch in modern times. Sure, it involves heavy family drama, but there's lots of cowboy-oriented stuff too, like riding and camping in the hills, great bronco action and even a saloon brouhaha. The combination of quality human interest and the Western milieu works, especially with the acting chops of Heston, Strauss and the other principles.

Belinda Balaski appears as the son's old girlfriend, working as a barmaid. You might remember her from "Piranha" and "The Howling." Both she and Strauss were 39 during shooting. Heston was 63, but acted older. He definitely wasn't his spry old self.

The aforementioned human interest is highlighted by the differing perspectives of America's involvement in the Vietnam situation. As noble as the patriarch's position is, the son certainly has a point in his. For instance, does swearing to defend your country make it okay to shoot unarmed female citizens and babies? Furthermore, how exactly does fighting for democracy and capitalism in a nation on the other side of the globe have anything to do with "defending your country"? I'm just giving you a taste.

It runs about 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot at Rancho Maria and Sable Ranch, which is just east of Santa Clarita, a 40-minute drive north of Hollywood.

GRADE: B+/A-

Good portrayal of the generation gap as a father and son become alienated over patriotism and duty. When the son returns home after several years, the animosity is still there and they begin quarreling all over again. Plus, many of the town's residents are against the son because they feel he is a traitor. Violence breaks out as emotions flare and the father and son must learn to accept each other before they become irreparably separated.

Heartwarming Made-For-TV modern time story of an old staunchly conservative cattle rancher (Charlton Heston) who is reunited with the son he disowned (Peter Strauss) after his boy deserted the Vietnam war. The two haven't seen each other for fifteen years and Strauss has been living in France, but is persuaded to come home to the Texas ranch by his mother (Nan Martin) when he learns that his dad is dying of an undisclosed illness. Father and son are both stubborn men, and their reunion as they attempt to come to terms is both emotional and involving. Strauss attempts to explain his reasons for desertion, an act that has also made him an outcast in the eyes of most of the local townsfolk. All the performances here are first rate, especially by Heston, Strauss, and Martin, and make up for the rather familiar nature of the story. *** out of ****

It is one of films seductive only for the acting. The story seems only a pretext or a frame for beautiful work of Nat Martin, Charlton Heston, Peter Strauss . And it is enough. You discover a nice family story, not convincing but decent and so melodramatic for be good support for remind the past roles of each actor. And, for the part of viewers, the fight scene is just good present .

Proud Men is a wonderful film. Charlton Heston and Peter Strauss did an outstanding job in this heart-touching film about a man and his son coming to terms with each other. They finally realize that being proud does not mean you can't express love for each other. It is always nice to see a film with a good story that doesn't have to rely on special effects or sex. This film stands out by having a great story. Proud Men is one of Mr. Heston's best. MonaK