Conagher (1991) (TV)

Director:

Reynaldo Villalobos

Writers (WGA):

Louis L'Amour (novel)
Jeffrey M. Meyer (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

1 July 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Western

Tagline:

None tougher. None faster. None deadlier.

Plot:

Mrs. Evie Teale is struggling to stay alive while raising her two children alone on a remote homestead...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sam Elliott	...	Conn Conagher
Katharine Ross	...	Evie Teale
Barry Corbin	...	Charlie McCloud, Stage Driver
Billy Green Bush	...	Jacob Teale
Ken Curtis	...	Seaborn Tay, Cattle Rancher
Paul Koslo	...	Kiowa Staples
Gavan O'Herlihy	...	Chris Mahler, Cowboy
James Parks	...	Curly
Daniel Quinn	...	Johnny McGivern
Pepe Serna	...	Casuse, Ladder Five Rider
Buck Taylor	...	Tile Coker, Ladder Five Rider
Dub Taylor	...	Station Agent
Cody Braun	...	Laban Teale
Anndi McAfee	...	Ruthie Teale
James Gammon	...	Smoke Parnell, Ladder Five Owner

Also Known As:

Louis L'Amour's Conagher

Runtime:

Germany:110 min | Netherlands:100 min | USA:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-16 | USA:PG | UK:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway - 1193 Fremont County Road 3A, Canon City, Colorado, USA

Company:

Turner Network Television (TNT)

Quotes:

Seaborn Tay, Cattle Rancher: I don't know you, cowboy, and you don't know me, but if you got any ideas about bucking trouble, I'm afraid you're going to have to go it alone.
Conn Conagher: You want to help me?
Seaborn Tay, Cattle Rancher: Well, I'm up into my 70s, boy. And I got a bum kicker to boot. Iwas kind of hoping to just live out my days and not die out on some sandy slope with lead in my guts. If they get me out on that range, they'll kill me for sure. And then just take my cattle as they please... with nobody to stop 'em
Conn Conagher: What if they come after you?
Seaborn Tay, Cattle Rancher: If they come after me, I damn sure will fight.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (1997) (TV)

The great Sam Elliott in a great Louis L'Amour

As far as books that become movies go, this is arguably the most faithful adaptation I've ever seen. This film follows L'Amour's novel of the same name so close that most of the dialog is word for word with the book. Like HONDO, also a L'Amour, the only parts left out of this film are minor pieces that had to be omitted because the film would be 4-5 hours long if every single scene was included. Even HONDO though, which is a wonderfully faithful adaptation doesn't follow as close as CONAGHER. The parts from the book that are left out are explained rather than shown.

That being said, the film is in my opinion one of the great westerns of all time. Not THE best, but definitely worthy of mention among the best. Sam Elliott & real life wife Katherine Ross are excellent, as is the supporting cast, comprised of a who's who of western actors, including Barry Corbin, Buck Taylor, James Gammon, & Ken Curtis (who was actually one of John Ford's "boys"). I can't think of anything but praise for this film. If you're a fan of great westerns it's definitely for you, but also anyone who likes a good film of any kind where we have a hero not trying to be a hero, but rather just doing what he has to, you'll like it too.