Hard Times Details

A hard-to-watch, grim and slow allegorical western, originally shown in British cinemas in a truncated form and “X” certified as Killer on a Horse. It's somewhat of a surprise coming from a director better known for his comedy westerns such as Support Your Local Sheriff!, Burt Kennedy: perhaps the real influence behind this bleak piece is writer EL Doctorow, of Ragtime fame. Aldo Ray is the vicious killer, forced into confrontation with mayor Henry Fonda, and the supporting cast is marvellous, with great performances from western regulars Warren Oates, Edgar Buchanan and Elisha Cook Jr. The women Janice Rule, Janis Paige, Fay Spain couldn't be bettered, but the whole leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth, and the symbolism doesn't really come off.

Interesting, atmospheric melodrama on the lone stranger theme.