Hello, dear readers! Welcome to another edition of Sunday Morning Movie. Today, we’ll explore a lesser-known Western titled Harry Tracy, Desperado:
Next week, we’ll feature L’oeuvre au noir:
Here are some reviews of Harry Tracy, Desperado:
Letterboxd states:
In the Westerns of the ’50s and ’60s, snowy landscapes allowed for breathtaking Technicolor cinematography and sweeping 70mm vistas. By the ’80s, however, such landscapes signified ruin and demise. While the public was largely unaware, the genre had suffered a sudden decline post-1974, marked by films labeled as The Last of this or The Final that. These later Westerns often oscillate between parody and a grim struggle for relevance, embodying a darkness akin to previous revisionist Westerns but lacking their innovative spirit. The cultural battles fought by the hippies during the ’60s and ’70s played a significant role in shaping the Western, but by the ’80s, the genre felt disconnected and inconsequential. Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson briefly stepped into the boots of Western heroes, challenging John Wayne’s legacy until Sam Elliott revived the archetype later in the decade. Harry Tracy echoes the sentiments found in works like Pynchon’s Vineland and Lumet’s Running on Empty, serving as a farewell from a lost generation of rebels. Its reactionary nature reflects the era’s fixation on violence, linking it as a symbolic appendix to The Wild Bunch. Like many leftist films of the decade, it can be akin to unsavory medicine, while earlier Spaghetti Westerns approached bleakness with a sense of Catholic acceptance of death. This film, however, encapsulates a uniquely American Protestant dread: the fear of being abandoned in the cold, destitute and unwelcome.
Cinefile observes:
While the film refreshingly focuses on its romantic subplot, pacing issues and tonal inconsistencies hold it back. The narrative is reminiscent of Butch and Sundance, providing Bruce Dern with a long-deserved opportunity to shine as a lead. The climax, featuring an interrupted barn-raising, is well-executed, but it may have arrived too soon after The Grey Fox to receive the attention it merits.
Running Wild Films notes:
It’s important to highlight that Bruce Dern, known as one of America’s finest character actors, takes the lead as the outlaw. While it’s difficult to label this as one of his best performances—considering his extensive career—he successfully carries the film with his unique wit and charm. However, Lightfoot’s character feels underdeveloped, and a more balanced portrayal would have enriched their complicated dynamic.
Here are my thoughts:
Under the direction of Graham, Harry Tracy, Desperado presents a solid yet fictional take on Harry Tracy’s final days as an outlaw. While it doesn’t reach the mythic heights of the finest Westerns, it entertains with humor and action. The absence of gratuitous violence alongside a compelling romantic subplot adds to its charm. The complex relationship between Dern and Lightfoot’s characters serves as an engaging sub-theme. I give it a ⭐; it’s worth watching, but perhaps only once. For a better representation of the humorous “lovable rogue” Western, check out Bad Company featuring Jeff Bridges:
A small fee is required, but I believe it’s worth it.
Directed by: William A. Graham
Writers: David Lee Henry, R. Lance Hill
Cast: Bruce Dern, Helen Shaver, Gordon Lightfoot, Michael C. Gwynne
Synopsis (Spoilers!):
As the 19th century gives way to the 20th, many notorious outlaws are either incarcerated or deceased. One man remains at large: the gentleman bandit Harry Tracy (Dern). On the run from federal authorities, Tracy has consistently eluded capture, leaving a trail of mockery against law enforcement. U.S. Marshal Morrie Nathan (Lightfoot) leads the charge to apprehend him, fueled by a personal vendetta.
Seeking refuge in a secluded cabin, Tracy crosses paths with David Merrill (Gwynne), an artist intent on capturing the essence of Western outlaws. Their alliance leads Merrill down a dark path of crime, as Tracy engages in various heists, all while searching for his beloved Catherine Tuttle (Shaver) in Portland. Following a series of chaotic events, the duo finds themselves imprisoned and at odds.
After their escape, Tracy reunites with Tuttle, only to discover Merrill’s deceitful intentions. A fierce duel ensues, resulting in Merrill’s demise. Now, Tracy and Tuttle embark on a quest for sanctuary, deepening their bond amid the turmoil. However, the law closes in, culminating in a dramatic standoff in a cornfield. Surrounded by soldiers and vigilantes, Tracy chooses to end his life to evade capture.
***
Bonus: Doctor Compiles a Database of Over 4,000 Near-Death Experiences (His Findings)
Today’s account comes from Dr. Jeffrey Long, who shares how his curiosity about near-death experiences led him to establish the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF). This initiative has amassed over 4,000 detailed accounts through thorough survey techniques. His research reveals consistent patterns worldwide, including out-of-body experiences, encounters with light and deceased loved ones, life reviews, and transformations in life perspectives, suggesting that consciousness might persist beyond physical existence.
