a5c7b9f00b In 1880, four men travel together to the city of Silverado. They come across many dangers before they finally engage the "bad guys" and bring peace and equality back to the city. A misfit bunch of friends come together to right the injustices which exist in a small town. A good western, and yet. For one it is slightly too slow at times. That makes the film a little bit lengthy and that is not good in a western that must have a constant rhythm and when it slows down it is to create suspense in a situation that requires it. Here we have slow scenes that are not in anyway suspenseful. The second reason is that this film has little originality. It is a clear assemblage or patchwork of many references and borrowings from all the previous westerns ever made. And it is very difficult to invent anything in 1985 after also the Morricone and Clint Eastwood films, not to speak of the black and white TV series mile Dead or Alive. It is entertaining because of the way things are assembled and that is nearly all. Two elements create some perspective. First the presence of black settlers that reveal the strong racist trend in the West. Then the character of Stella, a midget saloon manageress. But apart from these two elements the rest is pretty standard. But I must admit the setting, the scenery is particularly beautiful. Some of the mountain and desert scenes are in gorgeous natural surroundings. Then the theme of the rotten sheriff (two in the film mind you, one rotten by authority and the other rotten by the local rancher) and the theme of the rancher who decides to push away, and kill if necessary, the farmers are very ordinary and common place, and once again nothing new is really added to the theme. All these borrowing, even in 1985, make the film systematically anaphoric and that is a shortcoming. Even the street duel is banal: check in Back to the Future III, the "character" of Clint Eastwood makes that anaphoric reference a lot more creative. Not here.<br/><br/>Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines This film is one of the best western's ever made. It covers all aspects of the genre and adds a terrific story, with a little romance, drama, comedy and lots of action! The musical score is superb and is such an enhancement to the film that it causes the viewer to become totally absorbed in the story line. I highly recommend this film for first time western viewers! Silverado is a completely successful physical attempt at reviving the western, but its script would need a complete rewrite for it to become more than just a small step in a full-scale western revival. [10 Jul 1985, p.5]
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