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Monte Walsh (IB Tech Print)

The film starts as we hear Mama Cass sing “The Good Times Are Comin,” written by John Barry, fresh off an original score Academy Award for The Lion in Winter, during the opening credits.  It is bittersweet, especially if we think of the film as a whole, as the changing landscape of the West forces Lee Marvin’s title character, Monte Walsh, to think beyond the life he has known for decades, that of a cowpunch.  Are the good times really coming for Monte?

Besides the dying out of the Old West, Monte Walsh captures relationships, made genuine with the talents of Jack Palance as Monte’s best friend Chet and Jeanne Morneau as Monte’s love interest Martine.  William Fraker, (renowned cinematographer whose work includes Rosemary’s Baby) makes his directorial debut and can hang his hat high on providing us with one the best bronco busting scenes ever.

Monte Walsh is a moving look at one man’s reality of dealing with the end of an era.

“Marvin has very seldom been better; he leaves in the toughness of his usual screen character, but he also reveals a lot of depth.” – Roger Ebert

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