Pale Rider

This handsome-looking western, virtually a reworking of Shane by way of High Plains Drifter, is one of director/star Clint Eastwood's more sombre offerings. A small group of prospectors struggles to scrape a living in the shadow of a strip-mining company that is intent on driving them out, by any means necessary. A young girl (Sydney Penny) prays for deliverance from the violence - cue Eastwood's entrance as the enigmatic "Preacher" who arrives on a pale horse (one of the film's many ponderous biblical references) and begins to mete out his own brand of justice. We are in classic "man with no name" territory here - with added religious symbolism - but despite a reliably good performance from Eastwood and excellent support from Penny and Carrie Snodgress, this takes itself a little too seriously to be on a par with the Sergio Leone collaborations or Eastwood's own superior efforts such as The Outlaw Josey Wales and Unforgiven.