I have yet to understand exactly why this three-part western series fascinated me as it did. I haven't even seen part one yet, but apart from top notch performances from all (Carradine, Arquette, Abraham and Stanton are great, Childress truly touching, Olmos wonderfully understated as always, and Jonny Lee Miller showing himself as an unchallenged champion of micro-expression, with a face that speaks volumes without moving a muscle) I was swept off my seat by the lyrically philosophical undertow that became increasingly clarified - though never too explicit - as part two progressed. The rough rangers are gradually transformed into a Community of Saints (to quote Lionel Trilling's phrase), suffering patiently as they are subjected to random killings, first in the shape of a blind captain shooting right and left, later from a diabolic Apache assassin ("he's nibbling at us!", Carradine exclaims) and random executions as they arrive at their journey's end (without ever reaching their destination) - finally to be surprised by Grace Personified, in the shape of an opera-singing leprous lady.
At first, after having seen the ending (and a marvelously abrupt ending it is, bringing Chaplin's "City Lights" to mind), I thought of comparing it to the best of Eastwood's later films or Ford's "The Searchers". But "Dead Man's Walk" is not just a western, and it quietly and modestly indicates a meaning that goes beyond the plot - I believe it is Theatre of the Absurd at its very best. Samuel Beckett might have written this, or Harold Pinter.
Not even the tacky fade-outs to commercial breaks could ruin this ingenious gem for me.
It not only stands up to the brilliant "Lonesome Dove" - in my mind this prequel surpasses it. I understand scriptwriter MacMurtry is also responsible for "Brokeback Mountain" which I have yet to see.
At first, after having seen the ending (and a marvelously abrupt ending it is, bringing Chaplin's "City Lights" to mind), I thought of comparing it to the best of Eastwood's later films or Ford's "The Searchers". But "Dead Man's Walk" is not just a western, and it quietly and modestly indicates a meaning that goes beyond the plot - I believe it is Theatre of the Absurd at its very best. Samuel Beckett might have written this, or Harold Pinter.
Not even the tacky fade-outs to commercial breaks could ruin this ingenious gem for me.
It not only stands up to the brilliant "Lonesome Dove" - in my mind this prequel surpasses it. I understand scriptwriter MacMurtry is also responsible for "Brokeback Mountain" which I have yet to see.