Clint Eastwood,
Michael Moriarty,
Carrie Snodgress,
Chris Penn,
Richard Dysart
... see more 
A mysterious and possibly otherworldly stranger comes to the rescue of a frontier town in this Western, which was strongly influenced by the George Stevens classic, Shane. The peace of a small mining ... read more
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Release Date: June 28, 1985
DVD Release Date: November 18, 1997
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Stats: 1,220 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (1,220)
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December 21, 2011Eastwood's iconic, death dealing stranger from nowhere stops to look back, tip his dusty hat in respect to a earlier shadow who came before and a long shadow at that, the shadow named Shane. Almost just as good.
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August 5, 2011Not one of Eastwood's better westerns. While I love the supernatural elements that Eastwood plays with here, he did it much more effectively in High Plains Drifter. This film is really bogged down by the acting. While Penn and Eastwood hold their own, the rest of the cast is down... read more
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May 12, 2011Clint Eastwood returns as yet another nameless wanderer, this time into the mining town of LaHood. This movie breaks no new ground, its the same gritty western affair. But one can never get enough of Eastwood in his trademark drifter characters. \m/
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September 6, 2010High Plains Drifter lyte. A similar premise with supernatural implications and unmerciful vengeance.
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July 15, 2010A great story, good acting and a good script make this a very good Western. Shoddy directing and dodgy props demote it somewhat to just a good Western. it could have been better but it's still very entertaining. P.S. I met Richard Kiel and he is a very nice man.
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June 27, 2010Just too great of a premise and impossible not to love. Clint Eastwood does a perfect job in front and behind the camera. Unlike Unforgiven, this was a return to the traditional western and honors the universal themes. It's a lot like Shane in style and execution, but I feel that... read more
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August 24, 2009a bit homely for a revenge style western, but pale rider has a decent story to carry it, an interesting lead character, and an absolutely excellent gun fight to close it out. a very good western.
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September 2, 2008Another great western starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. A preacher comes to the aid of a small town where the locals are hoping to strike gold. One of the better westerns around with a great shoot-out finale.
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December 31, 2007I gave this movie a little extra rating due to the fact that I really like the character Eastwood plays in the flick even though we know very little about him.
It's a very basic western story with a group trying to defend their land from the rich people who want it. Eastwood com... read more -
Critic Reviews
May 27, 2011
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
October 26, 2008
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Pale Rider does nothing to disprove the wisdom that this genre is best left to the revival houses. A double feature of Shane and Eastwood's High Plains Drifter will do just fine, thanks. Full Review
October 26, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety
It's all been seen before, but Eastwood serves it up with authority, fine craftsmanship and a frequent sense of fun. Full Review
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[Eastwood] understands so well how he works on the screen that the movie has a resonance that probably was not even there in the screenplay. Full Review
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times
I'm just now beginning to realize that, though Mr. Eastwood may have been improving over the years, it's also taken all these years for most of us to recognize his very consistent grace and wit as a f... Full Review
October 26, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide
It had been so long since a quality western had hit America's screens that it appears as if Eastwood purposely set out to remind audiences of all the elements that make the genre work. Full Review
September 12, 2008
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
His saddle bag is a mixed one, though Pale Rider still has the touch of quality associated with latter-day Eastwood. [Blu-ray] Full Review
September 1, 2008
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...who else would you want coming to your rescue than the Preacher Man With No Name? Full Review
May 16, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a lightweight, easygoing affair, reminiscent of some of Hawks' or Ford's lesser Westerns. Full Review
June 20, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Eastwood's mythic Western divided film critics: Some were baffled by the audacity of his playing a religious figure, while others claimed he was just embodying the mysterious knight-stranger, a common... Full Review
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Pale Rider
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