This is remake from classic Western Monte Walsh (1970) by William A. Fraker based on Jack Schaefer's novel , author of Shane . Emotive and evocative film , including gorgeous landscapes , reflecting wonderfully the wide open spaces , they are splendidly photographed . The film starts at the ending XIX century when appears railway , big companies buy ranches and new technologies put difficult things for traditional cowboys who lost their jobs . It deals about a veteran cowboy (Tom Selleck in Lee Marvin's previous role) and his colleague (Keith Carradine) , they see declining the ending days of Wild West era and the transition to a new century where horses are left . As railway and barbed wire hardly eliminate the need for the cowboys who are yearning the freedom of the open prairie . Their lives are divided between months on the range and the occasional trip into town . They find themselves like dinosaurs in an old West that's dying out . Monte only lives his work and is enamored for a prostitute named Countess Martine Bernard (Isabella Rossellini , in Jeanne Moreau's former role). Monte Walsh and his partners are left with few options for survive, though new jobs opportunities are available . Monty has a long-term relationship with the French whore , while Chet has fallen under the spell of the widow who owns the hardware store . The cowboys (George Eads, William Sanderson , Rex Linn, among them) are commanded by a foreman named Brennan (William Devane, role of Jim Davis). Then , Monte embarks on mission to revenge best pal's death (Keith Carradine in Jack Palance role).
This melancholic picture results to be a magnificent TV western with action , a deep love story , shootouts , and spectacular scenarios . Sad , melancholic and dusty-looking Western with phenomenal protagonist duo , though the pace is too slow . Moving and sensitive Western where the cowboys must say goodbye to the lives they know and some of them attempt to make a new upright start and others way to crime . Great performances for all the main and support casting with excellent first roles from Selleck and Carradine . Special mention for Isabella Rossellini as an aging whore and James Gammon as a veteran cowboy with sad ending . However, the narration is too slow-moving to keep a fine grip on the interest . Breathtaking outdoors are well photographed by cameraman David Eggby , the movie was shot on location , including marvelous landscapes . Sensational directorial by noted filmmaker Simon Wincer , a Western expert , as he previously directed to Tom Selleck in ¨Crossfire trail¨ and ¨Quigley Down Under¨ and usually directs episodes for TV mini-series, such as : ¨Into the West¨, ¨The Ponderosa¨ and ¨Lonesome Dove¨, among others. Rating : Very good for the adequate direction and proficient film-making.
