User reviews

Westerns look like a dying breed. Only every now and then you get another western so it's waiting for a good one. Old Henry is one of those. Not very fast paced but certainly worth watching. No huge names either, although Tim Blake Nelson was perfect to play his character. The cinematography was good, the acting was more than good, and the story has a little twist that was clever. Definitely worth your time if you like westerns.

Much about new low budget western Old Henry feels familiar to anyone that has ever watched a grizzled and humorless take on the American west but that never stops director Potsy Pociroli's well-shot and acted drama from being an above average affair that gets extra points for allowing the always great Tim Blake Nelson a chance to take charge in a rare leading man role.

Seemingly heading towards an inevitable conclusion based around Nelson's quiet and solitary farmer Henry taking in Scott Haze's wounded Curry who is being pursued by Stephen Dorff's Ketchum and his determined posse, Old Henry has enough surprises and well developed character arcs within it to be become a genre crowd pleaser that kicks off big time with a memorable final act/reveal that is sure to get audiences talking.

Picturesquely shot around various United States locales, Ponciroli's visually appeasing outing never lingers too long on its various elements also, as we try and uncover the secret behind Henry's past, Curry's mysterious presence and Ketchum's motivations and end goals that is all played out well by its talented group of performers with Nelson in particular as good as his been in years as the gruff and no fuss Henry.

No stranger to the Western genre with key roles in the likes of The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and hugely underrated The Homesman, the rugged face of the supporting actor who stole scenes in such noteworthy films as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Lincoln and Syriana has rarely been given the chance in feature films to do the bulk of the work in front of the camera but he relishes the role his been given here by Ponciroli.

Neatly playing things cool throughout Old Henry's opening half, once we begin to gain more understanding about Henry's past and what has driven him to his life as a lowly farmer removed from the eyes of the wider population Nelson's smart turn really begins to pay-off with his understated but effective work here making this bloody western outing more than the sum of its parts where it may become more workmanlike with both Haze and Dorff not getting a lot too do in their respective roles but Nelson more than makes up for it in his memorable turn.

Final Say -

Many components of Old Henry feel overly familiar and unsurprising but Potsy Ponciroli and his leading man do enough to make sure that this low-budget but effective western offering is going to be sure fire hit with longstanding fans of the genre with the films rip-roaring finale ensuring the film ends on a high note also.

3 1/2 newspaper clippings out of 5.

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Acting and cinematography was great. It wasn't the most unique story but there was a nice twist that was a surprise. Also I was impressed with the fight scenes.

A farmer defending an injured man from a posse has his true identity called into question.

From the opening director Potsy Ponciroli's offering, you know your not having to sit through another glossy looking made for streaming looking western. It has a filmatic look with wonderful cinematography from John Matysiak. It's centred around the homestead and every inch of location used, giving a feel of solitude and hopelessness. This with some old school editing by Jamie Kirkpatrick and Ponciroli's visual flare and attention to detail echo Pale Rider and is reminiscent at times of modern great westerns, emulating The Unforgiven, with touch of the classics.

Complimented by Jordan Lehning music Stephen Dorff leaves an impression as Ketchum and showcase why he should be making more quality films. Old Henry is clearly Tim Blake Nelson's vehicle, he gives a solid, steely performance. Throwing in a few twist Ponciroli with his writing hat on leans on the tropes of the genre while not shying away from the harsh reality of the Wild West that all accumulates to a satisfactory conclusion. Recommend.

Irony abounds. Six decades ago you could not turn on the TV or go to a theatre without bumping into a western. Today they are few and far between. (Except for the fact that Clint Eastwood is still starring in them, which is just plain odd). So when this little gem shows up, with the guts to bet the farm (literally) on a tight script and a BIG REVEAL, you really have to take off your hat and salute it.

What great acting Tim Blake Nelson , wow .

Stephen Dorff's bad guy is perfect .

This is such a great movie loved every minute of it .

If you like westerns watch this !

Well-written western, with an excellent central performance from Tim Blake Nelson as a farmer with more to him than meets the eye. Nelson is given top-flight support from Scott Haze and Stephen Dorff. I'm not so sure about the choice of Gavin Lewis, who plays Nelson's teenage son; he's less well cast, and feels urban in a way that the other actors in the cast don't.

It is a boy's night out, no question -- there aren't any female characters at all. Still, it's a nicely-made movie, carefully paced, with a tumultuous last reel.

I am truly baffled by the film industry.

Even when Hollywood manages to make a good movie, they do nothing to promote it.

Westerns are not really my cup of tea; however, this one was very well done.

Using the frontier in the early 1900s as a backdrop, this film creates action and suspense without relying on massive explosions or over the top special effects.

This is a perfect example of a filmmaker who clearly understands that if you want to make an engaging film, the story trumps everything else.

What other movies get so wrong this movie gets right, by focusing on character and plot development.

That is not to say the script is all this movie has to offer.

The cast deliver quality performances and the set and costume design evoke the stark reality of a different time in our history.

Whether or not you are a fan of Westerns, this is a film well worth your time.

Hopefully, word of mouth will do for this movie what the production company could not be bothered to do; namely, garner it the attention it deserves.

Generous with a 10 cos i enjoyed this movie. Simple, ain't no wannabe critic.

In fact apart from being an enjoyable movie for genre fans like me, this one has top notch cinematography, first class actors and a simple yet engrossing screenplay.

Tim Blake Nelson's posture, body movements, his worn out face n eyes fits the character n the revelation perfectly.

The sudden character transformation is amazeballs.

It was good to see Stephen Dorff aft Jackals n True Detective S3.

Many may compare it with the masterpiece Unforgiven but i think that's unfair.

It's 1906 Oklahoma territories. Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) is a dirt farmer. His son Wyatt (Gavin Lewis) is desperate to get out from under his thumb and learn to shoot guns for himself. One day, Henry finds Curry (Scott Haze) shot and left for dead. He also finds a satchel full of cash and immediately sees the danger. He obviously doesn't want to get involved. Nevertheless, he brings Curry home and treated back to health. Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) arrives with his men looking for Curry. They claim to be lawmen looking for a fugitive. Henry knows better.

Tim Blake Nelson is the man. The only flaw in his character is the times he's just standing out in the open in front of his house. It made me very uncomfortable. I wanted to scream at him to take cover but I also understand the premise that he sees no threat from these gunmen. It's not true but I get the literary flourish. I do love the way he stands like a real gunfighter. It's subtle but obvious. The kid is more problematic. It's not only his attitude but his manner of speech. Sure, he's whiney but he's almost whining with an ill-fitting voice. He's trying too hard and stands out like a sore thumb. I also question Dorff's performance. His acting is a bit too modern. He has a natural casualness. He needs a darker quieter menace for the role. He may not be cast right. In the end, it's all about Tim Blake Nelson and the man rules.

Tim Blake Nelson is a great actor! An actor who does not rely on a pretty handsome face or a tall physical body (5'5"), but completely by his fantastic performance to play all the roles in his movies. He is such a versatile actor that could play almost any character in any movie.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and Leaves of Grass (2009). The characters he played, all turned out to be so great, powerful, entertaining, and memorable. It's unbelievable such an ordinary person could find jobs in the cruel society of the Hollywood. His success only proved that as long as you're really talented in acting, you still can survive in that crucial environment.

Only a few Western genre movies that really interested me to watch, not just once, but several times:

Blazing Saddles (1974), Clint Eastwood's 1992 Unforgiven, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), The Salvation (2014) and, this 2021 Old Henry.

A decent modern take on a Western. A farmer finds a wounded man with a bag full of cash on his property.

Stars Tim Blake Nelson and Stephen Dorff.

Tim Blake Nelson is not a natural looking leading man but does a really good job. Dorff is also credible.

I liked this film. It has feeling and heart, a good plot with action and tension.

A solid watch.

I went into this one without even bothering to read the reviews and it blew me away.

Extremely well done, the acting from all involved was top notch, especially Tim Blake Nelson, who really showed he is a quality actor.

There is nothing over the top involved the story is just a story with the "good guys" coming out on top against the odds. Except who really knows who the good guys are.

Definitely a movie that could be watched more than once. It loses 2 stars for me due to the flashbacks, those were not really required and made the movie a bit confusing.

8/10 and highly recommended.

The Old Henry story takes place abt 90min in one particular spot. A farm, where Henry and his son Curry are living. The days seem to be boring and the boy is seeking distraction. One day a horse without rider showed up and soon after Henry found its wounded rider and a bag full of money. Thats were the trouble starts.

I did like that countryside and the short spun story. Not much of a character development, but still interesting.

But one character I have to point out, it is Henrys absolutely cringy stupid brat. I mean jeez running toward several man with guns and start shooting but see for yourself how it all turns out...

The movie aint about heroes or good versus bad or taking revenge. It also aint a classical western.

Don't look up anything about this movie and just watch it. There's an incredible scene that I thought was absolutely amazing and it's best if you don't know why it's good, but just rest assured that this western does well to create a tense situation. It's a bit of a slow burn, but I loved a couple of its scenes. It's mostly just OK and I'm not rushing to rewatch it, but the experience of that first watch was great.

Tim Blake Nelson is Old Henry, a seemingly simple farmer who lives with his teenage son on a farm in turn of the century Oklahoma. He rescues a wounded man with a satchel and eventually must make choices in order to protect himself and his son. An all male cast is unusual in the modern era and they are all excellent. The story is has twists and turns which are based on historical people. The scenery is beautiful and Nelson should earn an Oscar nomination.

I thought this movie would be just another poor effort at trying to make a western but it was anything but. If you like a good western, then this is definitely worth watching.

Film westerns are sometimes like the dime novels that so frequently supported the tall tales therein-minimalist and fabulous. However, now and then an authentic and harrowing story like Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven rides in and changes things. I also characterize Old Henry, an Amazon original starring Tim Blake Nelson in the title role, of striking out for new fictional territory, although having a whiff of Unforgiven in the telling.

Henry (Nelson) is a farmer seemingly hiding out for no reason known to anyone, certainly not his teen son, Wyatt (Gavin Lewis), who nonetheless suspects dad may be more than a simple farmer.

As writer/director Potsy Ponciroli incrementally distributes Henry's back story, the film becomes not only thrilling with possibilities but also a decidedly trenchant commentary on the outcomes of choices early in life that refuse to go away no matter how we try to escape them.

Who to trust? That's a whole other topic of this minor classic.

Enter the stranger who changes things, Curry (Scott Haze), wounded and taken in by Henry, only to be followed by a gang of desperados wanting their stolen money back from Curry. The banter between Henry and lead bad boy Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) is the stuff of terse, pulpy, and sardonic inuendo, like the opening of Tarantino's Inglourious Bastards, with Christof Waltz doing veiled threatening over a glass of milk. Ponciroli shows a dialogue talent that suggests much more than it says.

Besides dialogue, this oater has the requisite satchel of cash to move the story, which eschews the Chaucerian greed motif (think The Pardoner's Tale) to get to the heart of the matter-a dad meeting a son on common ground for survival-and the quick surrender of dad Henry's dictatorship to allow son Wyatt to grow into a heroic equal.

The landscape is stark, the cabin is spare, and yet there is depth of history for dad and care for Wyatt. The bad guys, bound for a reckoning with a hidden force in Henry, are the typical western villains who embody the ambivalence of the wide-open territory (they aren't really lawmen bringing justice to the frontier), fraught with danger but a promise of a new life redeemed from violence but not after violence has a hand. As in Eastwood, combating an evil past and setting the record straight requires heroism of a small but symbolically significant consequence for these little lives on the Western plains.

Henry is a player of consequence, a part of history told in one of the cleverest reveals ever. Old Henry is a small adventure that means more than it appears. On Prime.

It is set in a farm, Oklahoma in 1906. Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) and his son Wyatt (Gavin Lewis) live a peaceful, quiet but poor life on an isolated farm. After finding a horse without a rider and with a stained saddle of blood, Henry decides to look for its owner, whom he discovers dying along with a gun and a bag of money. When a posse led by Ketchum (Stephen Dorff) comes for the money, he must decide who to trust. Defending a siege of his homestead, he reveals a gunslinging talent calling his true identity into question. You can't bury the past !.

A classic and modern western in equal parts, a poetic and brutal story, fascinating and surprising as well . Pretty good western dealing with thought-provoking issues and with thrills, drama, shootouts, lots of violence and an attractive final twist. Too slow at times , the movie is redeemed by its great acting, the realistic view of the Old West and by its rich array of interesting roles. 'Old Henry', is an action western about a widowed farmer and his son who warily take in a mysterious, injured man with a satchel of cash; when the farmer takes in the wounded man things go wrong.

Premiered at the Venice Film Festival in March 2021, it stars Tim Blake Nelson (¨Nightmare alley¨, ¨Buster Scruggs¨, ¨O Brother!¨ and directed ¨The Grey Zone¨) as the enigmatic farmer who, throughout the film, shows a series of skills far removed from a normal and ordinary settler. Along with Tom Blake Nelson appears a well-seasoned cast of fain main and support actors. His son Wyatt is finely played by young Gavin Lewis, while Scott Haze (¨Venom¨, ¨The Vault¨) plays the wounded rider, all of them give good interpretations. The film also has nice performances from Stephen Dorff who steals the show as the very bad contender and by Western expert actor Trace Adkins.

The motion picture was notably directed by Potsy Ponciroli. He previously made unknown or failed films , such as: ¨Colt Ford: Crank It Up, Live at Wild Adventures¨, ¨Still the King¨, ¨Super Zeroes¨. 'Old Henry' (2021) won several prizes and nominations, such as: 2021 Winner NBR Award Top Ten Independent Films Board of Review. Venice Film Festival Potsy Ponciroli 2021 Nominado Fanheart 3 Award Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film. Almeria Western Film Festival 2021 Winner Grand Jury Award Best Actor Tim Blake Nelson, Potsy Ponciroli 2021 Ganador Grand Jury Award Best Feature. And Second best action and adventure movie according to the "Golden Tomato Awards". Rating: 7/10. Better than average. The film will appeal to Western lovers.

Is it a 10/10 as some are saying? NO. Is it below 5/10? Definitely not, it is a well above average film. The acting, score, cinematography are all very good, the script itself is also decent for its limitations, the only downside for me is that once you recognize a name it's pretty obvious the way it's going.

However, this film had no clear press as I am aware of but, it deserves it compared to some of the rubbish that has recently been released. Is it the standard of Unforgiven or Open Range no, but it is a solid movie.