Hombre

_**Die for our sins, dog-eater**_ Released in 1967 and directed by Martin Ritt, "Hombre" is a Western starring Paul Newman as John Russell, a white man raised by Apaches on a reservation and thus disdained by the "respectable" stagecoach passengers traveling with him. Perhaps they'll respect him when he becomes their only hope for survival. The driver & passengers are played by Martin Balsam, Diane Cilento, Richard Boone, Fredric March, Barbara Rush, Peter Lazer and Margaret Blye. "Hombre" is a gritty realistic mid-60s Western; a character study that stands the test of time. Seeing it today, it's hardly aged. Taken from Elmore Leonard's novel, the script effectively shows the illusion of high and low social standing: The proud are proud until uncontrollable events swiftly bring them to their faces; the decent are only decent until survival or lust can only be attained through indecency. This is a tale of survival and in the heat of life-or-death tribulation what's in one's heart comes to the fore. People complain that the climax leaves a sour taste, but it ends the way it must (see below). ADDITIONAL CAST: Skip Ward, Frank Silvera, David Canary, Val Avery and Larry Ward. The film runs 111 minutes and was shot mostly in Arizona, but also a couple scenes in Jean, Nevada and Bell Ranch, California. GRADE: A FURTHER COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read until watching the movie) John Russell tells the other passengers that they'll only survive their life or death situation by being very careful and shrewd. Ultimately, he decides to be UNcareful in order to save an unworthy uppity woman in response to Jessie's bold sympathy (at least she practiced what she preached). To survive, he relies on the inexperienced kid to take out the bandit while he shoots the main outlaw. Ironically, the kid's shot is blocked by the very woman Russell is trying to save. When the dust settles, the survivors are all revealed as seriously flawed one way or another, whether venal (Fredric March), arrogant (Barbara Rush) weak (Martin Balsam), green (the kid), morally dubious (Margaret Blye) or liberally naïve (Diane Cilento). The end leaves them speechless as unworthy sinners in the face of unmerited grace through Russell's bold sacrifice. They represent the viewer, you & me: We can take the grace offered us and live a life worthy of it or put it out of mind and continue in our folly. It is every person's plight.

Before Riddick, there was Russell. The similarities are obvious. Riddick of modern sci fi fame, is obviously based on Russell of Hombre. Seven letters, starts with R, then a vowel, a double consonant, a vowel, and two consonants. The characters are totally alike. Both are definitive anti heroes to the max. There have been three perfect models for anti heroes in films-Riddick, Russell, and Ethan of the Searchers. They do what they must, and rules mean nothing. Fair fights are for Greek demigods with superiority complexes. John Russell (Paul Newman) is "Hombre". He quietly does what he does. He is a white man raised by Apaches and part of the Apache police. He wants to settle down. He gets a rebuttal from a middle aged woman, about his age, and winds up on a stagecoach with her. Also along is Martin Basalm, a meek and likable character who tries to get along with everyone. And there are two villains on the coach. Three, if you count the young wife of the real villain of the movie. The second villain is the physically dangerous one, played by Richard Boone. He has a gang helping him rob the stage. One of the gang is the middle aged woman's ex lover, played by Cameron Mitchell. But the real villain is played by Fred March. He does just a great snake oils job that many people forget he's the true villain. He plays an Indian agent who stole from the Indians and starved them. Richard Boone means to steal from him. "Hombre" strikes back, killing two of the gang immediately, including Cameron Mitchell. The other three race off with the evil villain's young wife, but Hombre has the money. The other passengers go along with Hombre. He tries to ambush the remaining three bad guys while they come after the money, but his plan is foiled by a nervous Basalm. This is when he gets the nickname "Hombre", by a vaquero whom he wounds. The vaquero says "Hombre, I will give this bullet back to you". There is a lot of wit going on. The vaquero actually hates the idea that he will have to either kill or be killed by Hombre, but it's his work. The most memorable line is the one that establishes Russell as the ultimate anti hero, when Richard Boone comes to talk to him under a white flag of truce, and then wants to return down a hill in safety. This is a classic Western about credible characters in incredible circumstances, which is generally what makes a classic.