Legendary marshal Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and his deputy, Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), are town tamers, hired by the people of Appaloosa to save them from the tyranny of ruthless rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) who, along with his men, are terrorizing the community.  Recently, Bragg has murdered the former sheriff and his two deputies.

When a witness steps forward and offers to testify against Bragg, Cole and Hitch sneak onto the killer’s ranch, capture him and bring him back to town for trial.  Ultimately Bragg is convicted for the crime, but sentencing him to hang and actually carrying out that sentence are two different tasks.

Also in the mix is Allison French (Renee Zellweger), a widow who arrives in town and immediately takes up with Virgil Cole.  She’s a sad, desperate woman who is willing to go after any man if he can “protect” her.

CRITIQUE

Appaloosa is a classic, character-driven western that doesn’t stint on the action, but doesn’t go overboard with it either.  There are plenty of shoot-outs, quick and to the point.

At its core, it is a story about the friendship between two men, Virgil Cole and Everett Hatch, who trust each other with their lives.  Their relationship is tested by the presence of Allison French.  Hatch knows the truth about the deceitful woman, but is reticent to tell his friend who has become romantically involved with her.

Director Ed Harris, along with Robert Knott, adapted Robert B. Parker’s novel.

Harris has endowed his film with a remarkable recreation of time and place; New Mexico in the 1880s.  With the help of his art and costuming departments, as well as cinematographer Dean Semler, he has made sure that there is nothing “Hollywood” in the look of this handsome, albeit gritty, western.

Appaloosa has no good guys in white hats or bad guys in black ones.  Virgil Cole, for example, is an honorable man who also has a violent temper.  In one shocking scene, he brutally beats a citizen who has used foul language in front Mrs. French.

Perhaps the most interesting role in the picture is that of Allison French, a woman who is willing to do virtually anything…and align herself with anyone…in order to survive.  Zellweger is perfect for this part, as are the rest of the fine cast in their individual roles.

The film’s one problem is the script.  The story builds to a violent shoot-out, which are where all story points should have been resolved and the film ended.  But, the picture continues for another 20-30 minutes, making the final confrontation between the good guys and the bad guy, anti-climatic.

THE VIDEO

The movie is presented in both a standard and widescreen version.  The image is sharp and without flaws.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Surround 5.1 Sound is clear and sharp.  No problems.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary by Ed Harris and co-writer/producer Robert Knott is interesting and informative.

Additional Scenes (with selectable commentary by Harris and Knott) contains several interesting, though unnecessary, sequences, including an alternate Prologue that dramatizes the events leading up to the murder of the original sheriff and his deputies.

4 “Making of” Featurettes about the characters, the historical accuracy of the production, the exterior town set and cinematographer Dean Semler.

FINAL THOUGHT