Le serviteur du diable

Average western drama highlighted by the always welcome presence of charismatic Willie Nelson in the lead role. The story is simple but effective for western style: a preacher (Nelson) became a furious and violent gunman after his wife (Fairchild)leaves him for another man. As a gunman, he must fight against cruel landowner (Dano) and his violent sons for the right of use of a water fountain in a distant and poor town.

Good scenes of fight and a decent photography made this one really watchable. A bit too predictable and slow at same points. But the good cast (R.G. Armstrong, as Nelson' old friend is terrific)is another great background.

Along with Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson has been making films as well as albums for years. _Red Headed Stranger_, an idea based on the album of the same name, is pretty much spaghetti-western fare. Nelson plays a preacher, his band plays the bad guys, Morgan Fairchild plays the wife and the carnage begins.

While certainly not Oscar-worthy, it is a must see for any true Nelson fan. I recommend getting some friends, a Willie-style "cigarette", a bottle of whiskey and this movie. Featuring tracks from the album _Red Headed Stranger_, the soundtrack is better than the film. Another notable film is _Honeysuckle Rose_, where Nelson plays basically himself.

All in all, cheesy fun. And, the film was shot in Texas, behind Nelson's Perdenales recording studio and golf club.

Not much dialog for a movie that I enjoyed. The music was excellent, I guess because I like Willie Nelson. Sad and reflective. It shows how a person can change not just from good to bad but back again. Willies expressions were always sad and for the most part the movie was to.

Moves slowly as some have pointed out and Willie ain't exactly Gary Cooper, but the general plot line too many bitch about is hardly as off the wall as most of Eastwood's or Peckinpah's stuff. Royal Dano plays a great villain, and some of the lines are priceless. I particularly like the one where Katherine Ross asks (paraphrase) if a horse is worth a man's life and Willy answers "can't say- didn't know him." Now THAT is a moral tale.

The closing gun fight scene is realistic and the old town looks like many did. Costuming is fine and the armorer did a good job. Willy's character is too complex for Willy to play completely well and Morgan Fairchild seems out of place, but that's probably why she ran away.

Better than many and worth a two hour viewing.

Emil Franzi, Tucson

It must have been an absolute delight for Willie Nelson to be in a position to turn his classic Red Headed Stranger album into a movie. The greatest country album of all-time serves as the soundtrack and, like the record, the film moves at a steady pace through a story saturated with heartache, revenge and redemption. Nelson's acting has certainly improved since his earlier efforts, while the still-beautiful Katharine Ross turns in a charming performance. The production values are a little lacking, but the story more than makes up for it. Add a half-star to the rating.