THE WEST WAS WON BY MEN AND CHALLENGED BY A WOMAN.

In the 1940s, Ella Connors (Jane Fonda) is still resisting a rancher (Jason Robards) who wants her land; a recluse, she finds help and company from a war veteran and cowboy (James Caan).

Director Alan J. Pakula brought along Robards and cinematographer Gordon Willis from All the President’s Men (1976) for this Western, showing how a classic land conflict survives into modern times. Largely a leisurely, romantic study of a man and a woman who learn to rely on each other; it’s easy to root for Fonda and Caan.

The violent ending is a bit of a clash with everything that preceded it, though.

1978-U.S. 118 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Alan J. Pakula. Cinematography: Gordon Willis. Cast: James Caan (Frank ”Buck” Athearn), Jane Fonda (Ella Connors), Jason Robards (Jacob ”J.W” Ewing), George Grizzard, Richard Farnsworth, Jim Davis, Mark Harmon. 

Trivia: Co-executive produced by Irwin Winkler.