Sein Name war Gannon (DVD)

Cowboy Gannon (Tony Franciosa) saves Jess Washburn (Michael Sarrazin) from a train. Together they get jobs on the ranch with Beth (Judi West), who has inherited her late husband's estate. Beth is determined to raise a huge herd of cattle in one season, sell it and move it to the city, but the neighboring ranchers fear that her plans will destroy their pastures. Beth seduces Jess to fight the others, and Gannon helps the neighboring ranchers build barbed wire. What particularly distinguishes the film is its subtle but effective visual language. The camera captures the vastness of the prairie, thus reinforcing the feeling of loneliness and the struggle for existence. The calm, almost melancholic atmosphere is underlined by the sparse musical accompaniment and the leisurely narrative pace. Franciosa brings Gannon a rough but sympathetic toughness, while Sarrazin as Jess embodies a kind of youthful innocence. Their chemistry contributes to the fact that the film does not sink into the usual clichés, but retains a certain freshness and modernity. In addition, the film captivates with its philosophical undertones when it raises questions about honor, loyalty and the change of the West.