THE HIRED HAND (1971) - First I'd like to thank Mr.Henry for recommending this great Western starring and directed by Peter Fonda. The film is slow paced with the most soothing music and images on film and a two realistic death scenes. Also Warren Oates co-stars in this one and his character is the total opposite of the BARQUERO (1970) character that he played the year before. In BARQUERO Oates and a band of bandits steal firearms and murder a whole town of innocent people. Looking at Warren Oates filmography you'll see all the great films he starred in. In THE HIRED HAND Oates gets his finger cut off and Peter sets out to help him just when he starts to get resettled back home. Great story and thanks again to MrHenry for telling me about this unknown film.
My only question is what happen to Peter Fonda? He made a few great film then kinda didn't do much after that.
He seems to be keeping busy. This year he has "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things" coming up and for television "Grownups" and "Thief of Time"
If one wants to see him at his best, then check out "Ulee's Gold," which I admit, I have not seen, but for which he was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor and for which he won a number of awards for his portrayal of the title character.
I read Fonda's autobiography, "Don't Tell Dad", a few years ago. Most of the attention the book concerned his telling of the making of "Easy Rider", his prickly relationship with his father, and how they made peace at the end.
He does discuss his film career in the 70s (not as much as I would have hoped personally). He seems proud of the films he directed and produced like "The Hired Hand" and even other lesser films like "Idaho Transfer", which he seems to think was misunderstood, and "Wanda Nevada". He blames the film's failure on a studio executive with a grudge against him, whom Fonda claims buried the film in drive-ins and in the small Southern theaters during its US release and intentionally charged charged high film print rental rates to overseas distributors interested in Fonda's films for Asian distribution, where Fonda was still a huge star even in the late 70s.
He also is fond of some of the better known films from his heyday like "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry", "Outlaw Blues" (since he got to indulge his singing talents), and "92 In The Shade" (because he got to work with pal Warren Oates again and also because it where he met his wife, although he does try to spin the fact that he stole her from writer/director Thomas McGuane). But while reading it, I got the feeling around 1976 or 1977, he just lost interest in being a big star and the money still coming in from "Easy Rider" was good enough he didn't have to work nearly as much. He talks about going to Africa to make "Killer Force" with OJ Simpson as strictly a paycheck movie, and gives little mention to his 70s and 80s work other than "Wanda Nevada" and some supporting work in Europe. He spent much of the 70s sailing a huge, beautiful sailing yacht then bought a ranch in Montana when he sold the boat.
"Ulee's Gold" is worth seeking out, and is probably his best and most personal role since he drew much of it from his memories of his father, a tough and fair man but emotionally withdrawn even from his kids according to Peter.
Yaddo, didn't he say anything about WILD ANGELS? I really like that film.
Scott,
i'm glad you liked the flick. i thought you would. it's a nicely paced story and filmed beautifully. a quality flick for sure. i recommend it to any western fan, or even just movie fans in general.
i was wondering when you'd get around to seeing this one.
www,310am.com
Post Edited (01-05-04 17:25)
Scott, "The Wild Angels" gets a few pages, he mentions that was originally supposed to play the Bruce Dern role, but Corman asked him to take the lead when it turned out the original actor for the role couldn't ride a motorcycle. He talks more about the European film festival where the film debuted, lots of partying and drug taking.