Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7138 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French, Italian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 111 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
After a nine-year break from the genre that made him an international star (the Western just before this one was The Outlaw Josey Wales, from 1976), Clint Eastwood returned in this gritty Western, crafted in the tradition of Shane and High Noon. Eastwood directed and stars as the nameless stranger known only as "Preacher" because he rides into a beleaguered mining town wearing a clerical collar. He's either an agent of death or an angel of mercy, and the echoes of Shane ring loud and clear when he comes to the aid of independent miners who are being terrorized by a local tycoon (Richard Dysart) and his ruthless band of hired guns. Befriended by a miner (Michael Moriarty) and idolized by the miner's wife and daughter (played by Carrie Snodgress and Sydney Penny, respectively), the "Pale Rider" sparks the defiant spirit of the underdog miners and takes after the bad guys with single-minded purpose. --Jeff Shannon

Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 5
French\Italian
English\Italian
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Mono French Italian
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Arabic\Dutch\English\French\German\Italian\Portuguese\Spanish

Synopsis
A girl kneels over the grave of her murdered dog, praying for a miracle, while off in the distance, a man rides toward town on a pale horse. Clint Eastwood's PALE RIDER was the filmmaker's first Western in nearly a decade. It finds a pleasant balance between the mystical revisionism of films such as HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER and the traditional Western. Eastwood stars as the Preacher, who wanders into a dusty California town and tries to rescue a community of gold prospectors that is being terrorized by the local corporate mining operation, which is strip-mining the land. He's taken in by Hull Barrett (Michael Moriarty), who lives with Sarah Wheeler (Carrie Snodgrass) and her 14-year-old daughter, she of the murdered pooch, Megan (Sydney Penny). The Preacher is something of a blend of Eastwood's Man with No Name and the title character of George Stevens's SHANE. The story and treatment are straightforward and entertaining, and the strong performances draw the audience in. The Preacher remains a mysterious character, but in the end, as he takes on the evil mining corporation's hired guns, it's impossible not to root for him.

Customer Reviews

Not your average Western
This is a very entertaining Clint Eastwood western, that I have probably watched more times than any other film. Its nearer 5 stars for me in fact. Certainly if you've see Shane and Eastwoods own High Plains Drifter you'll have a good idea what to expect.
However, there is more going on here than you might initially think. Eastwoods preacher certainly appears to be a ghost or supernatural apparition of some sort. In the prelude to the final gunfight he should be dead (this is the scene where the preacher sits with his back to the door drinking Coffee). The supernatural element is hinted at a few times but not overplayed.
Whether you accept the premise of a supernatural element is actually irrelevant. Eastwood plays the part with his usual conviction and magnetic screen presense. You'll believe that he could outgun or outfight a whole army on his own - supernatural or not!

Clint back to what he does best...
Clint Eastwood stars as the preacher who comes to save the town. In true Eastwood style the movie is packed with action and one liners. If you are looking for the historically accurate turn away now. This is good old fashioned, Western style, Root for the little guy, pure, true action. With a cast that include Chris Penn (AKA Nice Guy Eddie, Reservoir Dogs), Richard Kiel (AKA Jaws in Moonraker) and many other fine actors. If you like Clint Eastwood or you are a fan of Western films, i would recommend you add this one to your wish list. watch out for the classic line... "Nothing like a good piece of hickory!" - Preacher

medicore Clint film
Don't get me wrong, this film is realy very good, and a newcomer to Westerns should enjoy it immensley.
However, people who have seen their fair share of Westerns may be dissappointed; the film is stereotypical, formulaic and predictable, the one liners are mostly cliches, as is a great deal of the script.
The movie doesn't have any real clever twists in the plot, or cunning on the half of Eastwood, which can be found in films like Fistful of Dollars, neither does the film at any point challenge you, or make you think, like Unforgiven does
Eastwood acts alright-ish, but I still think he is living in the wake of the character he plays in the 'Spaghetti Westerns', trying to recapture that entralling stranger, but never quite hitting the mark.
The end shootout is good, but again, fans of the Genre will of seen all the moves coming.
This Western is about as typical as the come, with definite goodies n' baddies. However if you are not tired of this formula, then there is no problem; Pale Rider does it proud. However it is overshadowed by other Eastwood films, and fans of the genre will be able to predict every move.