One of the most interesting comments I hear about this film is that it "rips off" the 1953 George Stevens western "Shane." Most of those who make this comment have apparently missed the point -- "Pale Rider" is not a rip-off of "Shane", it's effectively a remake of that film, which adds a good deal more in terms of character and atmosphere.
Effectively, the plot is the same as a group of would-be tin-panners are terrorized by a major corporate concern. The squatters, led by Michael Moriarty (in a fine, low-key performance in the Van Heflin role), are near the end of their rope when a mysterious Preacher (Eastwood easily improving on Alan Ladd) answers a prayer and rides to their aid. Along the way, there is some wonderful character work among Eastwood, Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress and especially Sydney Penny. In particular, it is the sexual tension between Eastwood -- an older man of mystery -- and Penny, a young woman blossoming into maturity, that really keeps the tempo going. This tension, counterposed with more traditional Western moments makes for a fine Western experience, the type Eastwood the director has mastered in films like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and "Unforgiven". Likewise, a slight element of the supernatural is added with the ending, not unlike "High Plains Drifter". While some of this is less successful, the impact on the film as a whole is minor.
Eastwood and Moriarty are great in the low-key way, while Penny gets a role here that should have been the start to a big career. Other wonderful characters enhance the flavor of the picture even more -- Carrie Snodgress, Richard Dysart, Christopher Penn, and especially classic Western villain John Russell.
If this film is a "ripoff" of "Shane", maybe we need more ripoffs. In my view, the film is one of the rarities -- a remake that surpasses the original.
Effectively, the plot is the same as a group of would-be tin-panners are terrorized by a major corporate concern. The squatters, led by Michael Moriarty (in a fine, low-key performance in the Van Heflin role), are near the end of their rope when a mysterious Preacher (Eastwood easily improving on Alan Ladd) answers a prayer and rides to their aid. Along the way, there is some wonderful character work among Eastwood, Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress and especially Sydney Penny. In particular, it is the sexual tension between Eastwood -- an older man of mystery -- and Penny, a young woman blossoming into maturity, that really keeps the tempo going. This tension, counterposed with more traditional Western moments makes for a fine Western experience, the type Eastwood the director has mastered in films like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and "Unforgiven". Likewise, a slight element of the supernatural is added with the ending, not unlike "High Plains Drifter". While some of this is less successful, the impact on the film as a whole is minor.
Eastwood and Moriarty are great in the low-key way, while Penny gets a role here that should have been the start to a big career. Other wonderful characters enhance the flavor of the picture even more -- Carrie Snodgress, Richard Dysart, Christopher Penn, and especially classic Western villain John Russell.
If this film is a "ripoff" of "Shane", maybe we need more ripoffs. In my view, the film is one of the rarities -- a remake that surpasses the original.