**_The fun and challenges of the dwindling cowboy way-of-life_**

As the open-range West dies in the 1890s with corporations taking over the ranches, two aging cowhands try to survive in the new era of fenced-in land (Lee Marvin and Jack Palance). While they set their eyes on women and possible marriage (e.g. Jeanne Moreau), out-of-work cowboys become desperate (e.g. Mitchell Ryan).

"Monte Walsh" (1970) is similar to Charlton Heston’s “Will Penny” from 2.5 years earlier, but it cost almost four times as much and yet “Penny” is arguably the better Western. They’re at least on par, although “Penny” is hampered by its subplot of cartoony villains and an ending that leaves a sour taste.

This was remade in 2003 with Tom Selleck, Keith Carradine and Isabella Rossellini in the key roles, the difference being that this version was shot in Arizona whereas the newer one was filmed in Alberta. Each locale fits the story but they offer dissimilar milieus, which makes both worth checking out.

The story starts sorta dull as it shows the everyday mundane life of the cowhands mixed with the camaraderie and humor necessary for enduring such an existence. The second half, however, takes a heavy, dark turn and is more compelling with a highlight being the knock-down drag-out bronco busting scene that damages an entire town (back in the day when there was no CGI and so sequences like this were actually staged & shot).

I also liked the palpable love displayed between Monte and his woman, as well as the subplot of desperate men doing foolish things in desperate times. The story is nigh elegiac in tone as we witness the limited opportunities for tough Westerners as their way of life is stifled by progress.

The film runs 1 hour, 46 minutes.

GRADE: B