The Far Side of Jericho

The three strong women are really the stars of the movie, but they are listed as subs with even bit part actors ahead of them in the opening credits, showing insulting sexism. Did the studio not think they were pretty or star enough? I’m disappointed in Disney Studios. And Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t even have their pictures. Trailing cast credits lists them properly first, which doesn’t make up for it. Unique, unusual, attention grabbing western with more realism and accurate portrayals than most films. Superbly directed and acted exuding an atmosphere, making one feel the movie. If the Django Sketti westerns are ‘B’ movies, with most being ‘C’ movies, this is an A+. An underrated film, well worth the watch, twice.

It's been about ten years since The Far Side of Jericho was released (December 2006) and for me it gets better with each viewing. It must be the best Western movie with the most negative reviews of any Western ever made. However, from the opening line, "Ladies, they're hanging your husbands at noon" until the amazing cowboy song playing over the end credits this darkly humorous tale entertains in unexpected ways for 99 minutes. After Heaven's Gate (1980) lost over forty million dollars for MGM/UA, Hollywood made it politically incorrect to mention the W word. Thus, when actor Ed Harris approached Hollywood with the script for Appaloosa (2008) every major studio turned him down so Harris produced, directed and starred in the movie himself. It was a huge moneymaking hit. When Kevin Costner couldn't interest Hollywood in Dances with Wolves (1990) he put up his own money and produced, directed and starred in it himself. It was a mega hit. Hollywood would rather remake an old proven winner like 3:10 to Yuma (1957 and 2007) or True Grit (1969 and 2010) than take a chance on a new Western story. TFSJ was filmed in New Mexico and would be worth watching just for the beautiful scenery. The three female leads are unique and play their parts perfectly, and the male lead, Patrick Bergin, has over 104 acting credits and is a joy to watch. It was directed by Tim Hunter (81 directorial credits) and features Mark Adler as music editor. He was music editor on Amadeus (1984) The Godfather, and over 30 other projects. One of the writers, James Crumley (1939-2008) wrote 9 novels, had a loyal cult following, and garnered much critical acclaim. When the end credits roll the song Jericho, written and performed by Patrick Bergin, plays and it is as close to the real deal as you can get. If you want to know what it was like when a cowboy sat beside a campfire at night, alone, while making up and singing a song to himself... this is it. Patrick Bergin must have time traveled back to the 1880's and hunkered down beside a fire with a Desert Muse and... It's no one's fault if they don't get it, if the brilliance of this film escapes them because Western heritage is no longer revered in mainstream media. Generations of people have been conditioned to believe that Westerns aren't cool. Fortunately, a video of the song Jericho, is available on YouTube, and DVD's of TFSJ are available online.