The Hi-Lo Country had everything going for it. It was written by Walon Green, of The Wild Bunch, based on a 1962 novel by Max Evans (whose The Roudners was adapted into a 1965 movie with Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda). Martin Scorsese was here as producer, and director Stephen Frears had proven himself with a series of solid, well-performed films. It was shot largely in New Mexico, showcasing many beautiful, sweeping vistas. And yet there's something removed about it. It just doesn't quite catch fire. Pete Calder (Billy Crudup) meets Big Boy Matson (Woody Harrelson) when selling him a horse and the two become best friends. They fight in WWII and return to see things changed. Cattle baron Jim Ed Love (Sam Elliott) now runs everything and everyone in town works for him. Refusing to do the same, Pete and Big Boy team with Hoover Young (James Gammon) to start their own cattle business. Pete falls in love with Mona (Patricia Arquette) who is married to Jim Ed's foreman. Pete is reluctant to start a dangerous affair, but Big Boy has no such qualms, and sweeps Mona off her feet. Pete continues to pine for Mona while seeing Josepha (Penélope Cruz), who suspects that she is a second choice. It's really more of a soap opera than a Western; its plot turns and character reveals feel too small, too timid. Except for Harrrelson's unhinged good-ol-boy performance, there are no grand passions. Sam Peckinpah tried for years to get this story made; we can only imagine what his vision would have looked like.
Kino Lorber's 2026 Blu-ray release includes solid audio and video transfers. Bonuses include a commentary track by film historian and writer Julie Kirgo and writer/filmmaker Peter Hankoff. It includes trailers for The Hi-Lo Country and five other films. There are optional English subtitles and two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1).
