Monte Walsh (1970 film)
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| Directed by | William A. Fraker |
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| Music by | John Barry |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
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| Distributed by | National General Pictures |
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106 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Monte Walsh is a 1970 film directed by cinematographer William A. Fraker. His directorial debut, it stars Lee Marvin, Jeanne Moreau and Jack Palance. The name "Monte Walsh" is taken from the title of a 1963 western novel by Jack Schaefer, but the film has little to do with the plot of Schaefer's book. The film was set in Harmony, Arizona. A made-for-TV remake was set in Wyoming and directed by Simon Wincer, with Tom Selleck and Isabella Rossellini playing the parts of Monte and Martine. The story has elements of a tragedy. The song played over the opening credits is "The Good Times Are Comin' " by Mama Cass, with music and lyrics by John Barry and Hal David.
Monte Walsh (Lee Marvin) is an aging cowboy facing the final days of the Wild West era. He and his friend Chet Rollins (Jack Palance), another longtime cowhand, work at whatever ranch work comes their way, but "nothing they can't do from a horse". Their lives are divided between months on the range and the occasional trip into town. Camaraderie and competition with the other cowboys fill their days. They seek work and take a job at the ranch of Cal Brennan (Jim Davis), where they meet an old friend, Shorty Austin (Mitchell Ryan), another ranch hand.
Monte has a long-term relationship with an old flame, prostitute and saloon girl Martine Bernard (Jeanne Moreau), who suffers from tuberculosis. Chet, meanwhile, has fallen in love with Mary Eagle (Allyn Ann McLerie), a widow who owns a hardware store. As barbed wire and railways steadily eliminate the need for the cowboy, Monte and his friends are left with fewer and fewer options. New work opportunities are available to them, but the freedom of the open prairie is what they long for. Shorty loses his job and gets involved in rustling and killing, gunning down a local lawman. Then Monte and Chet find that their lives on the range are inexorably redirected.
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