Hombre (1967)

Hombre
Directed by Martin Ritt
Written by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr. from a novel by Elmore Leonard
1967/USA
Hombre Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Henry Mendez: Hombre, which name today, which do you want?

John Russell: Anything but bastard will do.[/box]

This is an OK Western.  Did I really need to see it before I died?

John Russell (Paul Newman) was raised by Apache Indians and currently lives with them on the reservation.  He puts on White Man clothes to go to town to sell some land he inherited.  Despite the fact he is white and everyone knows this, he is looked down on for his association with the Apaches.  Russell has to go to another town to seal his deal and sets off with several other passengers in a stagecoach hired by evil Indian Agent Mr. Favor (Fredric March).  If you think we are being set up for a Stagecoach (1939) style plot, you would be correct.

Mr. Favor is making a get away after having stolen a lot of money from the Indians.  This attracts bad man Grimes (Richard Boone).  Much drama ensues including a mild romance between Russell and “bad girl” Jesse (Diane Cliento) and multiple gun fights.

I will watch Paul Newman in anything and March and Boone make excellent villains.  I just didn’t think this was special or outstanding in any way.  This was apparently made as a commentary on Civil Rights but that aspect hasn’t aged all that well. Martin Balsam attempts an embarrassing Mexican accent throughout.