The Hired Hand (1971)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Peter Fonda

Writer:

Alan Sharp (writer)

Release Date:

11 August 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

Peter Fonda is riding again... To the woman he lost ... for the revenge he craves!

Plot:

Harry Collings returns home to his farm after drifting with his friend, Arch. His wife, who had given up on him...

Plot Keywords:

Ranch | Husband Wife Relationship | Directorial Debut | Drifter | Friendship

Cast

Peter Fonda	...	Harry Collings
Warren Oates	...	Arch Harris
Verna Bloom	...	Hannah Collings
Robert Pratt	...	Dan Griffen
Severn Darden	...	McVey
Rita Rogers	...	Mexican Woman
Ann Doran	...	Mrs. Sorenson
Ted Markland	...	Luke
Owen Orr	...	Mace
Al Hopson	...	Bartender
Megan Denver	...	Janey Collings
Michael McClure	...	Plummer
Gray Johnson	...	Will
Len Marsal		(as Len Marcel)

MPAA:

Rated R for western violence and some sexual content. (2003 re-rating)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2001) | UK:AA (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) | Iceland:12 | West Germany:16 (f) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:R (2003 re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Cabezon, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Pando Company Inc.

Trivia:

After the success of Easy Rider (1969), Universal Pictures hit upon the idea of letting young filmmakers make "semi-independent" films for low budgets in hopes of generating similar profits. The idea was to make five movies for low budgets ($1 million or less), not interfere in the filmmaking process and give the directors final cut. The other movies were: The Last Movie (1971), Taking Off (1971), Silent Running (1972), American Graffiti (1973).

Quotes:

Arch Harris: [to an insistently insinuating stranger in a bar] You can always tell a man who's got something on his mind. He keeps talkin' to people he don't know. Now what is it you're tryin' to tell me?

The Best Western since Seven Samauri!

I just saw this film at the Maine International Film Festival and it was a real surprise. Sure it's not perfect but it is the most realistic, sensitive portrayal of the west I have seen on the big screen. Jane Fonda called it the first "feminist western" but I disagree. It does have the strongest female role you may see in a western and Verna Bloom is fantastic! Peter Fonda is excellent in his role, also, and does brilliant direction. The cinematography is a big heavy handed on the special ethereal effects for such a realistic film, but it does not distract too much from the underlying story and excellent acting. A must see!