Pale Rider

Pale Rider is a 1985 film, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, which makes references to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as the rider of a pale horse is Death. In this movie Eastwood played the typical role of the Man with No Name, although this time the character dresses and behaves as a preacher (as a matter of fact, the other character calls him "Mr. Preacher").

Related Topics:
1985 - Film - Clint Eastwood - Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Death - Man with No Name - Preacher

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The conflict is between a group of simple poor miners and the most powerful man in the nearby town. The preacher behaves reasonably enough in the beginning of the story, even choosing to dispatch a gang of ruffians with a hickory axe handle, but finally shows his true ability as a gunfighter in the end, eliminating a crack group of guns-for-hire posing as deputies who stand in the miners' way.

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It is possible that the preacher is actually the Man with No Name approaching retirement and trying to make a more peaceful life for himself, but he is forced to return to his violent ways before the end. Eastwood gives this theme of an inescapable past a much more explicit treatment in his 1992 film Unforgiven.

Related Topics:
Man with No Name - 1992 - Film - Unforgiven

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The movie was filmed in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, just north of Sun Valley, Idaho. It also features Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Christopher Penn, Richard Dysart, Sydney Penny, Richard Kiel, Doug McGrath, and John Russell.

Related Topics:
Sawtooth National Recreation Area - Sun Valley, Idaho - Michael Moriarty - Carrie Snodgress - Christopher Penn - Richard Dysart - Sydney Penny - Richard Kiel - Doug McGrath - John Russell

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There is also some possible supernatural implication, similar to High Plains Drifter. The Preacher has what appears to be bullet hole scars in his back. Furthermore, in the showdown with the Preacher, Stockburn appears to recognize him and to be shocked to see him. However, Eastwood has been quoted as saying "Pale Rider is kind of allegorical, more in the High Plains Drifter mode: like that, though he isn't a reincarnation or anything, but he does ride a pale horse like the four horsemen of the apocalypse...". This with interviewer Christopher Frayling, according to Turner Classic Movies

Related Topics:
High Plains Drifter - Christopher Frayling

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Pale Rider has plot similarities to the classic Western Shane, including a final scene that is very similar to the famous final scene of Shane.

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