THE HIRED HAND: SUBTLE WESTERN

There are movies that are made the ride off into obscurity only to be discovered by a different generation or rediscovered by the few people who saw the film when originally released. These films don’t quite belong in the cult movie category, instead falling into a category all their own. They’re movies that should have played better when they opened and yet for some reason the timing was off, the promotion of the film was lacking or the studio just didn’t care enough to help it along. THE HIRED HAND falls into that category.

Director Peter Fonda stars as Harry Collings, a saddle tramp riding the west with his best friend Arch Harris (Warren Oates) and young companion Dan Griffen (Robert Pratt). They stop off in the small town of Del Norte run by the corrupt McVey (Severn Darden). As Harry and Arch discuss what they plan to do next, questioning if the dream of Dan to head to California is worthwhile. Harry tells Arch he plans to return home to the wife he left years ago. Gunshots ring out and Dan enters the saloon shot and killed. McVey claims he was accosting his wife but earlier we’d witnessed him checking out Dan’s horse.

Harry and Arch insist on burying their friend that night. The next morning before taking their leave they sneak up to McVey’s house. Peeking through the window the pair shoot at the occupants, hitting McVey in both of his feet and then hightailing it out of town.

The duo do head for the home Harry left behind to find his wife Hannah (Verna Bloom) and his now young daughter Janey (Megan Denver). Not knowing what to expect Hannah turns a cold shoulder to Harry who asks if he can just stay on for a bit as a hired hand and see where things go from there. She agrees and he and Arch stay to help out the homestead.

In town they hear that Hannah has bedded down her past hired hands which causes Arch to cold cock the braggart making the claim. He tells Harry who that night talks to Hannah to find out it was true on occasion. She had no idea where he was or if he would return. She tells him plain and simple it was nothing that was going to last and she knew it going in.

Things begin to settle down and it looks like Harry and Hannah might still make a go of it. Arch decides to head out and see California like they talked about. A few days later one of the men from Del Norte shows up with one of Arch’s fingers and tells Harry if he doesn’t return with him they’ll cut off another finger each day and then move on to toes. Much to Hannah’s displeasure he sets out to save his friend. But only one of them will come home.

The movie is a slower paced film than most would expect with a western. Like many westerns at the time it sought more realism than the classic western tropes we’d come to expect. The film includes a number of panoramic shots of the countryside filmed exquisitely by cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond who went on to do movies like THE DEER HUNTER, DELIVERANCE and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. His use of natural lighting and unpolished look to the surroundings make it one of the most realistic looking westerns ever filmed.

When released the film didn’t do well both financially or critically. It wasn’t until years later that critics took the movie to heart and the word of mouth spread about what a great movie it was. When that happened the people at the Sundance Channel championed the film and not only showed it but released it on DVD.

For myself I found the movie a bit tedious at times and interesting at others. I’m glad I finally had the chance to watch it and most likely will take the time to watch it again. There are some movies that the setting just has to be right for to appreciate them as much as they deserve. Add to that the fact that Oates is involved, one of the greatest character actors we’ve ever had and how could one not want to watch this more than once?

As part of Arrow’s Arrow Academy series the film is being offered in Arrow’s standard superb condition. Both DVD and blu-ray versions are included here, transferred from original film elements by Universal. In addition to that they’ve packed on the extras like they normally do. Those extras include an audio commentary track by Fonda, THE RETURN OF THE HIRED HAND a 2003 documentary on the film, deleted scenes, THE ODD MAN Charles Gormley and Bill Forsyth’s 1978 documentary portrait of Scottish screenwriters including Alan Sharp who wrote the screenplay for this film, an interview with director Martin Scorsese, an audio recording of Oates and Fonda at a National Film Theater in 1971, a still gallery, trailers, TV spots, radio spots and a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean Phillips.

Fans of westerns are sure to enjoy this one. Those cinephiles who treasure the movies of the early 70s will also find much to enjoy here. And for a well-rounded and thought out movie anyone should enjoy watching this one. 

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