First rate western with an excellent cast, excellent direction and dialog. I kept reading these reviews with people objecting to the violence against animals in the film. It is showing a period in time and the attitudes from that time. It illuminates the human character just like any other good drama. The fact that it's brutal does not make it a bad film, only a true film. The film making of Richard Brooks here is the very definition of economy. Nothing is wasted and the lines crackle with realistic western wit. The scene with Ben Johnson and Hackman at the river is absolutely brilliant in its depth of humanity and economy of expression. Definitely one of the best of the 70's westerns.
Review of Bite the Bullet
