Search - Pale Rider on DVD

Pale Rider

Actor(s): Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Chris Penn, Richard Dysart
Director(s): Clint Eastwood
31

Movie Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Not For Children, Adult Language, Western Violence
Movie Release: 1985
DVD Release: 11/19/1997
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan
Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 56 mins
Studio: Warner Home Video
Members Wishing: 6
Genres: Western, Traditional Western
See Also: Pale Rider [Blu-ray]

DVD Synopsis

A mysterious and possibly otherworldly stranger comes to the rescue of a frontier town in this Western, which was strongly influenced by the George Stevens classic, Shane. The peace of a small mining community is shattered when Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart), the ruthless proprietor of a powerful strip-mining company, arrives in town with his son Josh (Christopher Penn) and a posse of hired guns to drive out the townspeople and take control of the territory. Megan (Sydney Penny), a young girl whose pet was killed in the melee, prays to God for someone to defend the village from the marauders; soon, the Preacher (Clint Eastwood) arrives on a pale horse, and joins forces with Hull Barrett (Michael Moriarty), the unofficial leader of the miners and one of the few who attempts to defend himself, to take a stand against LaHood and his men. As the Preacher and Barrett try to organize the miners to fight the invaders, both Megan and her mother Sarah (Carrie Snodgrass) find they're drawn to the Preacher, who keeps to himself and seems to have more than his share of secrets. Pale Rider was also directed by leading man Clint Eastwood; it was his first Western as both director and star since the acclaimed The Outlaw Josey Wales. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Actors

Clint Eastwood - Preacher
Michael Moriarty - Hull Barret
Carrie Snodgress - Sarah Wheeler
Chris Penn - Josh LaHood
Richard Dysart - Coy LaHood

Editorial Review of DVD

This two-sided, Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD offers both anamorphic standard (1.33:1) and widescreen (2.35:1) versions of the film. The DVD plays rather dark throughout, possibly enough to require an occasional adjustment of one's television brightness knob. Nevertheless, the scenery is stunning, the outdoor shots panoramic, and the action sequences evocatively directed. Also included with this DVD are brief production notes (text only), two theatrical trailers, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles. The audio track is available in English only. The remastered music plays clearly and with adequate bass and treble in surround mode; the film's audio effects are well integrated into the soundtrack without any distracting pr unexpected background noises. The picture, though sharp throughout, has poor contrast here and there due to the omnipresent darkness, shadows, and flesh tones. ~ Craig Chalquist, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Jason C. (JJC) from NEWARK, NJ wrote on 12/28/2007...

In the past 20 years, Clint only made two westerns. 1992's "Unforgiven," as you all know, became a classic overnight and not only got him the directing and producing Oscars he deserved, but a worthy nomination as Best Actor as well. But seven years prior to that, Clint made a western called "Pale Rider," which is basically an unofficial remake of the 1953 infamous western, "Shane."

Clint plays a mysterious stranger named Preacher, who trots into a gold mining town. Hull (Michael Moriarity), a friendly miner, takes Clint in, which then his wife (Carrie Snodgress) and daughter (the beautiful Sydney Penny) have a strange infatuation with him, even though he's a so-called "preacher." Meanwhile, Coy La Hood (Richard Dysart), a rich tyrant wants to rid of the mining town so he can build a railroad through it, but the town won't go.

So, Preacher helps the townsfolk battle La Hood's cronies. But then things get a little too serious, when La Hood calls upon the evil Sheriff Stockburn (John Russell) and his deputies to rid the Preacher. Stockburn however, has not yet met the Preacher, but when La Hood describes him, Stockburn claims he does know him, but that man is dead!

"Pale Rider" is a highly underrated western from Clint. It was one of the few westerns to be released in the '80s, a decade where westerns weren't popular. It's has an old-fashioned feel to it, yet it's pretty violent too.