Monte Walsh (1970)

An aging cowboy realizes that the West he knew and loved will soon be no more--and that there will be no room for him, either.

Director:

William A. Fraker

Writers:

Lukas Heller (screenplay), David Zelag Goodman (screenplay)

Stars:

Lee Marvin, Jeanne Moreau, Jack Palance

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Marvin	...	Monte Walsh
Jeanne Moreau	...	Martine Bernard
Jack Palance	...	Chet Rollins
Mitchell Ryan	...	Shorty Austin
Jim Davis	...	Cal Brennan
G.D. Spradlin	...	Hal Henderson
John Hudkins	...	Sonny Jacobs
Raymond Guth	...	Sunfish Perkins (as Ray Guth)
John McKee	...	Petey Williams (as John R. McKee)
Michael Conrad	...	Dally Johnson
Tom Heaton	...	Sugar Wyman
Ted Gehring	...	Skimpy Eagans
Bo Hopkins	...	Jumpin' Joe Joslin
John McLiam	...	Fightin' Joe Hooker
Allyn Ann McLerie	...	Mary Eagle

Storyline

Monte Walsh is an aging cowboy facing the ending days of the Wild West era. As barbed wire and railways steadily eliminate the need for the cowboy, Monte and his friends are left with fewer and fewer options. New work opportunities are available to them, but the freedom of the open prairie is what they long for. Eventually, they all must say goodbye to the lives they knew, and try to make a new start.

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Plot Keywords:

revisionist western | arizona territory | arizona | two word title | horse riding | 

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Taglines:

Monte Walsh. All of a Sudden The West Wasn't Wild Enough For Him

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

This reteams Lee Marvin with William A. Fraker, the latter having been director of photography on Paint Your Wagon (1969) the year before.

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Goofs

The morning after Martine "dies", and Monte is sitting next to her bed holding her hand, she is still breathing.

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Quotes

Chet Rollins: Nobody gets to be a cowboy forever.

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Crazy Credits

"Introducing Mitchell Ryan"

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Connections

Referenced in The Swinging Sixties: Movie Marathon (2019)

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Soundtracks

The Good Times Are Comin
Music by John Barry
Lyrics by Hal David
Sung by Cass Elliot (as Mama Cass)

User Reviews

Wanted To Like It, But . . .

I'm not a newcomer to Westerns and I'm pushing 72. I've had a life-long interest in the American West, studied its history, and even wrote a novel set in the 19th century. Somehow, I never got around to watching 'Monte Walsh' until recently, though I'd heard it was supposed to be a bit of a classic. While I wanted so much to like it given its cast and genre, it just did not hook me. This despite the fact that Lee Marvin is one of my favorite actors and in his prime. The film didn't hit many right notes for me. Something was off. None of the characters really grabbed me. Marvin was fantastic in 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance', 'The Professionals', and 'Cat Ballou'. Heck, he even did well in the atrocious 'Paint Your Wagon'. And those were just his westerns. He appeared to coast through this role. The usually dependable Jack Palance, to me, phoned in his role. A story of friends aging in the passing of the West was done so much better in 'Lonesome Dove' and 'The Wild Bunch'. Marvin and Palance were miles better in 'The Professionals'. I have no idea what the casting director had in mind when they cast Jeanne Moreau. She was completely unbelievable. It may be that the film just has not held up well in comparison to many others. I've watched most of John Wayne's films over years along with all the Spaghetti Westerns, all the TV shows, Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot's work, and everything in between. I know my subject matter and this film doesn't cut it for me. JMO.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monte Walsh

Filming Locations:

Circle Z Ranch - 1476 Highway 82, Patagonia, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Center Films, Landers-Roberts Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1