Amazon Prime viewers will be pleased to learn that a “masterpiece” Western described as “underrated” by fans, is currently streaming on the platform. Hombre is an American revisionist Western film directed by Martin Ritt and released in 1967. It was based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard. Hombre stars Paul Newman, Fredric March, Richard Boone and Diane Cilento.
The film’s synopsis reads: “John Russell (Newman) finds that the world is not so welcoming when he returns to his Arizona home town to collect his inheritance. A white man raised by native Americans, Russell is subjected to numerous instances of racism when people discover his background. When the stagecoach Russell is riding in is held up by a gang run by one of the scheming passengers, Cicero Grimes (Boone), it falls to Russell to defend the passengers – the very people who have dismissed and insulted him.”
The film has been hailed as a “masterpiece” and its 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that.
One critic said: “As a Western, Hombre offers enough excitement to stand up with the best of them. As a motion picture with sure-handed direction, a literate script and excellent acting it also offers something for all audiences, Western fans or not.”
“Those looking for an intelligent and bittersweet western should search out Hombre, a somewhat overlooked (yet still fondly remembered) mini-classic of the genre,” added another.
One fan billed the film as “underrated” stating: “Vastly underrated 60’s revisionist western. The movie, taken from an Elmore Leonard’s story is filled with quotable lines, broad cynicism, an exploration of old west racism, and great performances all around, particularly Newman, Cilento, and Boone. The dust filled semi desert atmosphere leaps off the screen. A must see.”
Hombre is available to stream on Amazon Prime.