Pale Rider

R

Released Jun 28, 1985

1h 55m

Western

List

93%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When property owner Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart) starts using a band of hooligans to terrorize a group of small-town gold miners into giving up their territory, an enigmatic man named "Preacher" (Clint Eastwood) arrives in town. Preacher fends off the attacks, and then goes directly to LaHood to negotiate. When the miners, led by Hull Barret (Michael Moriarty), refuse the terms, LaHood sends in Marshall Stockburn (John Russell) to take down Preacher and the others.

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Critics Consensus

Nearly a decade after The Outlaw Josey Wales, Clint Eastwood returns as a director to the genre that made his name with this elegant, spiritual Western that riffs on the classic Shane.

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Shay C

Pretty dang good. I like the theory that the Preacher is actually a ghost back to enact justice. Whatever the case, it's a good film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

Full Review

Blu B

A Classic Western Deep Cut. It's really well made all around. This is a hybrid of Shane & High Plains Drifter combined to great results. I love how the spiritual aspects really are implied but never outright spelled out to the audience. There are some amazing shots in this and it never really feels like a movie from the 80's and very simliar in direction and tone to Unforgiven. I do wish there was a bit more character depth as no one is that deep but really well acted though. Hall is great and the villians are solid. I do wish the music was a bit more catchy at times like the westerns it's influenced by. It can be a little jumpy here and there but not much. Also when The Preacher goes away in the middle it does feel like it loses focus a little bit but still carries strong to a great showdown. It feels in the end a bit more personal the showdown than it does for helping the townfolk. The direction really is strong here and helps even when it doesn't focus on Eastwood. Anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, Eastwoods directed films, or westerns will like this a lot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Eye C

It's ok, but it's getting a little old the same story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/07/24

Full Review

Alec B

A reworking of "Shane" and Eastwood's own "High Plains Drifter" that, while sporadically interesting, unfortunately lacks the emotional power of the former or the rage of the later.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

Full Review

Test T

I liked this movie a lot. It all looks so very real, it wasn't long before I began to believe I was there. The story is a simple one of course but that's no bad thing because it's the performance that makes all the difference. Every detail is delivered to perfection, by a superb cast. Eastwood is amazing, the way he controls the scenes with just his understated wit and resolute charisma, no one could ever doubt the outcome that is about to unfold, but the tension is so intense we can't look away. The formula is long tried and tested, but is still extremely entertaining. The only element which doesn't quite work for me is the obligatory romantic subplot which seems like an unnecessary distraction in an otherwise uncluttered plot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/06/23

Full Review

TWMax65

This movie is a more slow-paced Clint Eastwood western, and I've for sure liked some other ones better. However, this one still had its epic moments and had good cast members (such as Chris Penn, RIP). I also like the relationship that Clint Eastwood's character developed with the family and the villagers to make them trust him and make himself into their hero. The bad guys presented themselves as an intimidating force with power behind them but I knew that Clint would get the best of them and save the day somehow. Even though they're cliche and we're overdone at one point in time, I can't help but be hooked by westerns (and I'm not even old, I'm in my 20s and I know how significant they are to film, as well as the screen presence of Mr. Eastwood)!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/18/23

Full Review

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Clint Eastwood

Preacher

Michael Moriarty

Hull Barret

Carrie Snodgress

Sarah Wheeler

Chris Penn

Josh LaHood

Richard Dysart

Coy LaHood

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Though the metaphysical overtones of the screenplay are sometimes awkwardly handled and Eastwood's direction of actors (other than himself) is occasionally uncertain, this was one of the better American films of 1985.

May 27, 2011

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Pale Rider does nothing to disprove the wisdom that this genre is best left to the revival houses. A double feature of Shane and Eastwood's High Plains Drifter will do just fine, thanks.

Oct 26, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

It's all been seen before, but Eastwood serves it up with authority, fine craftsmanship and a frequent sense of fun.

Oct 26, 2008

Full Review

Penny Holme

Starburst

The main feeling of the film is of a tongue-in-cheek parody of the spaghetti sagas.

Jul 8, 2022

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Pale Rider adds no new insights or dimensions to an ageless genre. But as a tribute to America's real and mythical past, Eastwood's newest movie reassures us that in the war against evil, the righteous have God and vengeance on their side.

Apr 19, 2022

Full Review

Jack Ford

Battle Royale With Cheese

For its heart and soul and what it achieves both technically and emotionally, Pale Rider is a film worthy to mark it's makers' ninetieth special day.

May 31, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

When property owner Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart) starts using a band of hooligans to terrorize a group of small-town gold miners into giving up their territory, an enigmatic man named "Preacher" (Clint Eastwood) arrives in town. Preacher fends off the attacks, and then goes directly to LaHood to negotiate. When the miners, led by Hull Barret (Michael Moriarty), refuse the terms, LaHood sends in Marshall Stockburn (John Russell) to take down Preacher and the others.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Producer: Fritz Manes
Screenwriter: Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack
Distributor: Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: The Malpaso Company
Rating: R
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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