The Cowboy and the Frenchman (1988)

Little seen short film by David Lynch is set on a ranch in the turn-of-the-20th Century Wild West, USA is a collision of cultures where a grizzled, hard-of-hearing cowboy, Silm, and his two... See full summary »

Director:

David Lynch

Writer:

David Lynch

Stars:

Harry Dean Stanton, Frederic Golchan, Jack Nance

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Slim
Frederic Golchan	...	Pierre the Frenchman
Jack Nance	...	Pete
Tracey Walter	...	Dusty
Michael Horse	...	Broken Feather
Rick Guillory	...	Howdy
Patrick Houser	...	Gun Twirler
Marie Laurin	...	French Girl
Eddy Dixon	...	Rock-a-Billy Guy
Magali Alvarado	...	Beehive Western Gal
Ann Sophie	...	Beehive Western Gal
Robyn Sumners	...	Beehive Western Gal
Kathy Dean	...	Singer
Leslie Cook	...	Singer
Manette LaChance	...	Singer

Storyline

Little seen short film by David Lynch is set on a ranch in the turn-of-the-20th Century Wild West, USA is a collision of cultures where a grizzled, hard-of-hearing cowboy, Silm, and his two friends, Dusty and Pete, capture a mysterous, well-dressed Frenchman. Unable to understand each other, the fast-talking, slang-speaking cowboys and the non-English speaking Frenchman make the most of the situation while an Indian, named Broken Feather, joins the group and sets it into a perfect harmony with songs and dancing.

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

1988 (France)

Filming Locations:

France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Erato Films, Figaro Films, Socpresse

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

An over-the-top treat!

This 25 or so minute short film, now available as part of a collection titled "The Short Films of David Lynch," is a ridiculously funny dive into a kind of pure realm of cliché about some cowboys who encounter a wandering Frenchman, and the antics that ensue as they become acquainted. Stereotypes are served up relentlessly as if to demonstrate just how ridiculous they are, while at the same time a kind of light sweetness pervades. There's both a silly, vaudevillian surface humor, and a deeper dreamlike release - if you get the joke. David Lynch basically goes as far as anyone could go with the idea, without getting dark. Though fascinating, nothing on David Lynch's 'Short Films' compilation was too surprising - except this one. It's a real treat.