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On rare occasions we cinema lovers will stumble upon an obscure film that leaves us wondering why we hadn't heard of it before. The Hired Hand is one of those hidden gems.
The film came into being as a result of the huge success of a small independent film made in 1969, Easy Rider. Universal Studios was keen to repeat their financial success by giving Peter Fonda full artistic control. He was able to choose the cast, the locations, the cinematographer, editor, the music score, etc. Fonda even had control over the final edit of the film.
Fonda set out to make a western like nothing that had been done before. According to Fonda, his aim was to put the viewer literally into the film. He does this by capturing the solitude and isolation of the old west. The film moves deliberately slow, matching the pace of life in the old west. The cinematography enhances that isolation with use of wide angle lenses on the long shots. The Hired Hand is like a moment in time duplicated on film. One can believe this is how the old west really was.
The cinematography is amazing, it utilizes controlled depth of field, back-lighting and silhouettes to impart an artistic feeling. The edits between the scenes use long dissolve montages for a unique poetic look. There are more stunning sunsets in this film, than you ever seen in your life.
The story is told in a minimalist fashion. We don't know the back story of the two main characters, played by Peter Fonda and Warren Oates. We learn of their characters through their interaction with each other. Fonda's character is conflicted, quiet and brooding. Oates in comparison is the everyday man, traveling life's road to wherever it takes him. Verna Bloom is perfect as a realistic pioneer woman...staunch and unwavering with strong feminist views of sex and self.
The music score is unique. The instruments used for the score are all period specific to the old west. The music is hauntingly beautiful, departing a forlorn, soulful feeling to the film.
The Hired Hand won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 1971. Sadly Universal Studios decided to pull the film from the theaters after only 1 week. In 2001 the film was beautifully restored and is available as a Collectors Edition which has the same cut as original shown in 1971.
The Hired Hand (1971)
Director: Peter Fonda
Writer: Alan Sharp
Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond
Editing & Montage: Frank Mazzola
Production Design: Lawrence G. Paul
Musical Score: Bruce Langhorne
Cast: Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Verna Bloom
Director: Peter Fonda
Writer: Alan Sharp
Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond
Editing & Montage: Frank Mazzola
Production Design: Lawrence G. Paul
Musical Score: Bruce Langhorne
Cast: Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Verna Bloom
On rare occasions we cinema lovers will stumble upon an obscure film that leaves us wondering why we hadn't heard of it before. The Hired Hand is one of those hidden gems.
The film came into being as a result of the huge success of a small independent film made in 1969, Easy Rider. Universal Studios was keen to repeat their financial success by giving Peter Fonda full artistic control. He was able to choose the cast, the locations, the cinematographer, editor, the music score, etc. Fonda even had control over the final edit of the film.
Fonda set out to make a western like nothing that had been done before. According to Fonda, his aim was to put the viewer literally into the film. He does this by capturing the solitude and isolation of the old west. The film moves deliberately slow, matching the pace of life in the old west. The cinematography enhances that isolation with use of wide angle lenses on the long shots. The Hired Hand is like a moment in time duplicated on film. One can believe this is how the old west really was.
The cinematography is amazing, it utilizes controlled depth of field, back-lighting and silhouettes to impart an artistic feeling. The edits between the scenes use long dissolve montages for a unique poetic look. There are more stunning sunsets in this film, than you ever seen in your life.
The story is told in a minimalist fashion. We don't know the back story of the two main characters, played by Peter Fonda and Warren Oates. We learn of their characters through their interaction with each other. Fonda's character is conflicted, quiet and brooding. Oates in comparison is the everyday man, traveling life's road to wherever it takes him. Verna Bloom is perfect as a realistic pioneer woman...staunch and unwavering with strong feminist views of sex and self.
The music score is unique. The instruments used for the score are all period specific to the old west. The music is hauntingly beautiful, departing a forlorn, soulful feeling to the film.
The Hired Hand won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 1971. Sadly Universal Studios decided to pull the film from the theaters after only 1 week. In 2001 the film was beautifully restored and is available as a Collectors Edition which has the same cut as original shown in 1971.