Read M&C - Watch AMC 'Broken Trail' - win prizes!

Broken Trail an Excellent StoryJun 25th, 2006 - 18:17:38

I've seen the movie and read the novel by Alan Geoffrion. This is one of the finest examples of 'true' American west literature and film making done in decades. Throw out the ideas that every western town was the seen of an 'OK Corral' style gunfight, and that every cow poke was a swearing, uncaring, shell of man - insert historical reality... The American West was corrupt and every one was looking for an edge to stay alive, and that required exploitation. Exploitation of lives, exploitation of the land (mining), and exploitation of any financial situation. Duvall and Geoffrion have weaved an incredible story that looks back at two realities of the American West, the exploitation of the Chinese, in this case 5 young girls sold into prostitution, and the sale of horses to help support the Boer War. With a cleaver twist and careful character development Print Ritter, Tom Harte and the 5 Chinese girls show what the West was truly like, and not another 'los angeles side lot shoot-em-up.'

The novel, which I bought about a month ago, adds a lot of flavor to the story, which is always sacrificed for the constraints of TV/Movies, time and commercials. For example, you come to learn that Print Ritter is a culinary genious of the trail, something only slightly alluded to with a scene of him and the basque sheepherders. We also learn that Print is very well-read, and has a deep respect for books, history, and knowledge - something you can see through his actions in the film - but not truly come to appreciate until you've read the book.

In conclusion - buy the book, read it, love it. Watch the film and enjoy the reality of a 'true' west film, one unlike most and definetly an instant classic.

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