Ride in the Whirlwind (1966): Jack Nicholson's Anti-Western

Ride in the Whirlwind is a Criterion Classic film directed by Monte Hellman and written by Jack Nicholson.Filmed side-by-side with fellow low-budget Criterion Classic western The Shooting, the movie had a strong reception in France but was practically shelved and then relegated to TV in the United States.But critical and audience appreciation grew over time because Whirlwind just isn't the average western.Right at the height of the western genre's popularity, this anti-western, acid western, whatever label of western you want to give it, we can all agree doesn't play by the genre's normal conventions. This is more like a survival story, told plain and slow, than the gunslinging, win the day type of fare audiences would have been used to.But while I loved The Shooting, covered in a previous episode, how did I feel about the less mysterious Whirlwind? You'll have to listen to find out. But I"ll tell you now I talk about things like the film's intentionally slow pacing, its solid performances, and the beauty yet sadness of Millie Perkins's dark eyes.A group of cowboys takes shelter for the night with a gang of outlaws. But when a vigilante posse shows up to haul the outlaws to justice, the cowboys get caught in the crossfire, mistaken as outlaws themselves. Will the cowboys escape the posse?Directed by Monte Hellman. Written by Jack Nicholson.Starring:Jack NicholsonMillie PerkinsCameron MitchellRupert CrosseConnect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com