Saturday, June 6, 2009

You're a Whore!

Rest in peace David Carradine. Here is a clip from what I think is his best ;performance. As Cole Younger in the Long Riders.

The Long Riders directed by Walter Hill is one of the best Westterns made in the last thirty years. It is in my opinion very realistic. It tells the story of the James-Younger gang after the end of the civil war. It's depiction of the regional hatred and the clannish subculture of the day is right on the money. By using actual brothers to protray the gang they are true to the historical fact. The casual violence and the brutality ring true.

One of my favorite themes is illustrated in the depiction of the raid into Northfiled Minnesota where they blasted the crap out of the James gang. It was not any High Noon bullshit where everybody hid and let the marshal take care of it, everybody just grabbed a gun and started blasting.

David Carraidne's portrayel of a cool outlaw with humor and style was in my estimation his finest performance.

4 comments:

Ruth Anne Adams said...

Northfield, Minnesota once held the distinction of having more colleges than movie theaters. It had two colleges [St. Olaf and Carleton] and only one theater.

Trooper York said...

And lots of squareheads with guns.

blake said...

I remember being disappointed by this when it came out. The Keaches, the Carradines and...can't remember now, but brothers being portrayed by brothers.

Felt like it should've been much cooler.

Trooper York said...

Well it was super realistic which you might appreciate more now. It has the Deadwood sensibility and the carnage is right up to date.

It includes the Quaids and the guy from Spinal Tap, yeah the Guest or whatever his name is.