Proud Men

Heartwarming Made-For-TV modern time story of an old staunchly conservative cattle rancher (Charlton Heston) who is reunited with the son he disowned (Peter Strauss) after his boy deserted the Vietnam war. The two haven't seen each other for fifteen years and Strauss has been living in France, but is persuaded to come home to the Texas ranch by his mother (Nan Martin) when he learns that his dad is dying of an undisclosed illness. Father and son are both stubborn men, and their reunion as they attempt to come to terms is both emotional and involving. Strauss attempts to explain his reasons for desertion, an act that has also made him an outcast in the eyes of most of the local townsfolk. All the performances here are first rate, especially by Heston, Strauss, and Martin, and make up for the rather familiar nature of the story. *** out of ****

Modern Texas is the setting for Proud Men about an estranged father and son played by Charlton Heston and Peter Strauss respectively. Strauss has been living in Paris, now married to Maria Mayanzet and the father of Greg Kupiec who speaks a lot more French than English due to where he was raised. But the young man has a fondness for American westerns and he's going to meet his grandfather finally.

But not under the best of circumstances. Heston has one of those undisclosed illnesses that will eventually take him, but he's got an undetermined amount of time left.

Why Strauss left is that he deserted during the Vietnam War depressed over what he saw and what he had to do on one occasion. It would have put anyone over the edge. But Heston who is World War II veteran didn't want to hear anything and indeed never did. And in his small Texas town where he owns the local Ponderosa a whole lot of the good old boys feel the same way.

Father and son get reacquainted and Heston and his wife Nan Martin finally get to meet their daughter-in-law and grandson. If only Heston and Strauss can meet each other halfway and get past some deep hurts.

Proud Men is a nice family drama with whole cast portraying some real people in situations that the times created. Good entertainment and good performances all around.

When it's learned that the patriarch of a ranch in the wilderness north of Los Angeles has about six months to live (Heston), his disowned son from Paris (Strauss) comes to visit at the mother's request (Nan Martin). The cause of the separation from fifteen years earlier had to do with the Vietnam War. Can they patch things up before it's too late? Alan Autry is on hand as the tough foreman of the ranch.

"Proud Men" (1987) has been described as "On Golden Pond at a Ranch," but it's more of a Western set at a Southwest ranch in modern times. Sure, it involves heavy family drama, but there's lots of cowboy-oriented stuff too, like riding and camping in the hills, great bronco action and even a saloon brouhaha. The combination of quality human interest and the Western milieu works, especially with the acting chops of Heston, Strauss and the other principles.

Belinda Balaski appears as the son's old girlfriend, working as a barmaid. You might remember her from "Piranha" and "The Howling." Both she and Strauss were 39 during shooting. Heston was 63, but acted older. He definitely wasn't his spry old self.

The aforementioned human interest is highlighted by the differing perspectives of America's involvement in the Vietnam situation. As noble as the patriarch's position is, the son certainly has a point in his. For instance, does swearing to defend your country make it okay to shoot unarmed female citizens and babies? Furthermore, how exactly does fighting for democracy and capitalism in a nation on the other side of the globe have anything to do with "defending your country"? I'm just giving you a taste.

It runs about 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot at Rancho Maria and Sable Ranch, which is just east of Santa Clarita, a 40-minute drive north of Hollywood.

GRADE: B+/A-

Proud Men is a wonderful film. Charlton Heston and Peter Strauss did an outstanding job in this heart-touching film about a man and his son coming to terms with each other. They finally realize that being proud does not mean you can't express love for each other. It is always nice to see a film with a good story that doesn't have to rely on special effects or sex. This film stands out by having a great story. Proud Men is one of Mr. Heston's best. MonaK

Good portrayal of the generation gap as a father and son become alienated over patriotism and duty. When the son returns home after several years, the animosity is still there and they begin quarreling all over again. Plus, many of the town's residents are against the son because they feel he is a traitor. Violence breaks out as emotions flare and the father and son must learn to accept each other before they become irreparably separated.