A Time For Dying

A Time for Dying, directed in 1969 by Budd Boetticher, is a powerful and intriguing exploration of the Wild West, examined through a unique lens that contrasts the dreams harbored by newcomers with the stark reality of frontier life. The film features talented performances from Richard Lapp, Anne Randall, and Robert Random, plus a notable cameo by acting legend and American icon Audrey Hepburn marking her final appearance on screen.

The protagonist of this film is a young and ambitious cowboy named Cass Bunning (Richard Lapp) who leaves his home to try out a new life in the ruthless, hard-bitten world of the West. He has dreams of becoming a renowned bounty hunter. Bunning meets Nellie (Anne Randall), a naïve and innocent young lady, who is on her way to marry her fiance in Silver City. Their destinies intertwine, and the dynamic duo gets enmeshed in the chaos and mayhem typical of the unsettled West during that era.

Completing the trio is Billy Pimple (Robert Random), a psychotic young man devoid of any moral compass. His character is shown as blissfully indifferent to the violence and brutality rampant in the Wild West and is particularly fond of instigating trouble. The juxtaposition of these three characters — the ambitious Cass, the innocent Nellie, and the unapologetically evil Billy Pimple — create an intricate web of tension and conflict, establishing a firm foundation upon which the rest of the movie unfolds.

One of the film's pivotal scenes takes place when they stumble upon a town where there's a transition in authoritative power from the iconic figure of Judge Roy Bean to the charming yet potentially insidious Judge Edward G. Robinson. The arrival of this new and seemingly corrupt law enforcement adds another layer of conflict and intrigue to the storyline.

The film portrays the harsh realities of life in the Wild West, using a mix of humor, tension, and an ever-present sense of impending danger. Boetticher, from his directorial high chair, aims to portray how good-intentioned individuals, such as Cass and Nellie, can often fall prey to the cruelties and injustices of a world they had viewed with rose-tinted glasses. Integral to the picture is also a look into the depravity equivalent of anarchy within Billy Pimple's character, which shows how a lawless environment can breed dangerous predators.

For a movie of this era, A Time for Dying does a commendable job in showcasing the intricacies of human society during the Wild West era. It provides an intimate and well-crafted look into the lives of individuals, each one struggling with their personal and professional battles. The film becomes a compelling character study reflecting on the bonafides of ambition, the innocence of youth, and the brutality of villainy through its protagonists.

One standout feature of A Time for Dying is its cinematography. The film is visually striking with its deft employment of stark, barren landscapes and meticulously designed sets. The scenes are lovingly crafted to capture the raw, untamed beauty of the 19th-century southwestern United States. The distinct features of the towns, the characteristics of the wild terrain, and the ubiquitous tension that hovers over the landscape, all serve to underscore the precariousness of life in these frontier settlements.

A Time for Dying, while often overlooked, is an exceptional western drama. Boetticher's firm directorial grip, coupled with stellar performances from Lapp, Randall, and Random, makes this an unforgettable and significant entry in the genre's canon. It's an essential viewing for Western enthusiasts, furnishing an immersive experience of grit, tension, and the unforgiving realities of a landscape where ambition, innocence, and villainy grapple for supremacy. Not merely a period drama, this film offers an in-depth character study that explores various human temperaments and situations — a timeless narrative that neatly transcends the confines of its genre.