Drew Dixon is help by his parents to escape Union recruiters for the west. In Missouri, Drew is robbed by Jake Rumsey (Jeff Bridges) who leads a group of young thieves. While Drew finds refuge in the minister's home, he runs into Jake again who's hoping to steal from the minister. Drew demands his money back but Jake wins the fight and convinces him to join his gang.
It's a revisionist 70s western. The story is a rambling series of episodes. The group never really attains any chemistry. Only Bridges has the charisma. The violence isn't shocking enough although they do shot up a rabbit really good. The movie has some compelling moments but it doesn't maintain the tension from beginning to end. First time director Robert Benton allows the movie to mosey too much.
It's a revisionist 70s western. The story is a rambling series of episodes. The group never really attains any chemistry. Only Bridges has the charisma. The violence isn't shocking enough although they do shot up a rabbit really good. The movie has some compelling moments but it doesn't maintain the tension from beginning to end. First time director Robert Benton allows the movie to mosey too much.