Western genre films are now increasingly rare in the cinema, but every time a new one is made that is able to tell something new about that bygone era, it does not fail to receive great appreciation from both critics and the public. If it has recently been the turn of titles such as World news And Hostiles – Hostiles, in 2008 to have conquered the fans of the genre was Appaloosa (here the review), directed by the actor Ed Harrishere in his second attempt as a director after making the film in 2000 Pollockbiography of the famous painter.

Passionate about westerns, Harris had long wanted to direct a western film, drawing inspiration from classics of the genre such as That Train to Yuma, Rumble from Hell And The man who kills Liberty Valance. After stumbling upon the book Appaloosawritten by Robert B. Parker, he decided that this was the story he would bring to the big screen. Parker’s story was in fact characterized by its being built on the canons of the western genre but also including elements crime and issues that are still current today. The cities of were chosen as the location Albuquerque And Santa FeIn the New Mexicoand Austinin Texas.

With both classic and more contemporary elements, the film has won widespread critical acclaim, finding favor with many fans of the genre. Appaloosa it is in fact an excellent western to be rediscovered, even simply for its cast of great actors. Before embarking on a vision of the film, however, it will certainly be useful to delve into some of the main curiosities related to this. Continuing here in the reading it will in fact be possible to find further details relating to the plot and al cast of actors. Finally, the main ones will also be listed streaming platforms containing the film in their catalogue.

Appaloosa: the plot of the movie

The story is set in 1882, in the small community of Appaloosa, New Mexico, where a ruthless ranchero, Randall Bragg, allows his band of outlaws to rampage through the city. After having eliminated the sheriff and his two deputies, he has therefore established a climate of terror, subjecting the inhabitants of the community. These, tired and exasperated by the violent actions of the overbearing Bragg, decide to contact a lawyer, Virgil Coleand to his deputy, Everett Hitch, to restore control and order to Appaloosa. The two, who have long earned a reputation as peacemakers in the cities in disarray, gladly accept.

Once in Appaloosa, the two immediately get to work, demanding full authority and holding the positions of sheriff and deputy sheriff respectively. They can thus enact inflexible laws that ban the use of violence. It seems like the beginning of a new era for the community, but the arrival in the city of Allie French, a young and charming widow, with whom Virgil falls in love, cracks the relationship between the two friends. Meanwhile Bragg, who showed signs of submission, instead begins to show intolerance for that new situation, meditating revenge. The dangers in Appaloosa are far from over.

Appaloosa: the cast of the film

In addition to directing and producing the film, Ed Harris he also had the lead role as Virgil Cole. Originally, the actor had imagined playing the character with long hair, but in the end he preferred to keep the baldness that distinguishes him. For the role of Everett Hitch, Harris strongly wanted Viggo Mortensenwith whom he had previously worked in A History of Violence. The actor said he was enthusiastic about starring in the film, attracted in particular by the relationship between the two protagonists, described as a friendship neither too close nor too free.

Mortensen then said that he prepared for the role by studying the historical period in depth, making his suggestions for the character and his clothing and training in the art of dueling. Alongside them, in the role of Allie French, she was initially supposed to be the actress Diana Lane, which however abandoned the project when it suffered a moment of stalemate. At that point it was chosen to replace her Renee Zellweger. The actors complete the cast Jeremy Irons as the cruel Randall Bragg, Timothy Spall in those of Phil Olson e Lance Henriksen like Ring Shelton.

Appaloosa: the trailer and where to see the film in streaming and on TV

You can enjoy Appaloosa thanks to its presence on some of the most popular streaming platforms on the net today. This is in fact available in the catalogs of Rakuten TV, Chili Cinema, Google Play, Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime Videos and Tim Vision. To see it, once the reference platform has been chosen, it will be enough to rent the single film or subscribe to a general subscription. In this way you will be able to watch it in total comfort and at the best video quality. The film is also present in the television schedule of Monday 15 May at 21:05 On the canal Rai Movie.

Source: IMDb