| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Robert Urich | ... |
Ruben Castle
|
|
| JoBeth Williams | ... |
Harriet Purdue
|
|
| Paul Dooley | ... |
Joe Hiatt
|
|
| Hoyt Axton | ... |
Ben Morgan
|
|
| Peter Coyote | ... |
Steele
|
|
|
|
Marin Kanter | ... |
Mackenzie Castle
|
| Gailard Sartain | ... |
Mayor
|
|
| Dan Hedaya | ... |
Peck
|
|
| Harry Carey Jr. | ... |
Dr. Emmer
|
|
| John Considine | ... |
Burnside
|
|
|
|
Margery Bond | ... |
Judy Hiatt
|
|
|
Joseph G. Medalis | ... |
Lawyer
|
| Patrick Houser | ... |
Chester
|
|
|
|
Alvin Crow | ... |
Deputy Wayne
|
|
|
Ned Dowd | ... |
Deputy Bobby
|
Thriller about a New York ex-cop and an attractive female sheriff who fall in love while investigating a string of mysterious cattle mutilations in a small Colorado town. Urich is great as Reuben Castle, the retired alcoholic police lieutenant out visiting the town with his tomboy daughter. At first he tries to stay out of the case but finds himself involved after the mysterious death of his friend Joe Hiatt, the editor of the local paper whose theories about black helicopters have aroused the ire of cattle baron Ben Morgan. Trying miserably to stay sober, Castle finds himself back in danger and in love, as he and the sheriff work together to get to the bottom of the mystery, encountering incredible danger and resistance from the frightened locals. Written by Unknown
Ruben Castle (Robert Urich) is a rough alcoholic ex-NYC cop who quited under some suspicions. His delinquent daughter Mackenzie is released to him as they travel to Colorado. Mackenzie gets arrested for running into Harriet Purdue (JoBeth Williams). Harriet is the new sheriff in the small Colorado town. She's investigating suspicious cattle mutilation deaths. Ruben's friend Joe Hiatt (Paul Dooley) runs the local paper and has a conspiracy theory about the cattle. Cattle rancher Ben Morgan (Hoyt Axton) is the local big wig. There is a secret base out in an abandoned nuclear silo.
It take awhile before the movie settles down to its subject matter. Purdue should be much more of the lead character instead of Castle. That way the movie is solidly about the cattle mutilations. Instead it's too much about Castle's drinking and his failing father daughter relationship. The movie wants to hint at UFOs. The investigation feels like it's put on the backburner too much early on. The investigation has good spooky vibes at times and works well especially with the electronic music. The sound effects works well in opposition to the open space hinterland. The major drawback for me is that it never really explains everything to my satisfaction. It explains just enough for me to give it a pass.