The Wonderful Country

There's something to be said for letting a project get out of hand when the result is as sympathetic as this. Bursting with characters, sub-plots, themes, symbols, the movie centres on Mitchum, a gringo pistolero operating South of the Border. Crossing the river (a recurring image) on a gun running mission, he painfully rediscovers the blessings and burdens of home and belonging. A German immigrant, an unhappy army wife and a troop of black cavalry reflect different aspects of his situation. Photographically and musically it's a continuous treat, though having the hero ride a horse called Lágrimas - Tears - was carrying portentousness too far. From a novel by the artist Tom Lea, who has a cameo as a barber.