There is a genre in film that is one of the oldest and most venerable; the western. It has been reinterpreted, re-imagined and revisited more than just about any other type of movie theme. This started naturally enough as a truly American genre and over time has been adopted by several countries, most notably Italian film makers. After so many decades away from our shores it is reassuring that burgeoning film makers here in the States have not forgotten this honorable format. Glen Pitre has helped to reclaim the American western with his latest flick ‘The Man Who Came Back’. It is a classic tale of revenge set upon the dry and rough terrain of the old west. Westerns are a ubiquitous genre that can be played for sheer action and adventure or delve into the depths of the human condition. There is something about the old west where complex issues like justice where not settled in a court of law but with six shooters. This is the kind of flick that can appeal to both genders and all ages although this particular film is geared more towards the adults. There is something about the isolation of a small town and the rugged people who inhabit it that makes for compelling story telling. When so many independents film makers are going for the quick and dirty horror film Pitre chose a long overlooked type of film and this is much to his credit. There are some flaws in the movie but that is overcome largely but the potential that he shows in how he handles the construction of the film. This film is also part of the increasing trend in the Indy world to have its premiere on DVD. While a direct to video release was once a sign of a bad or marginal movie now it is considered a legitimate venue for a film maker to get his project to the audience. Handling the released to DVD is Lion’s Gate. They have made a new name for themselves with the release of little independent films that otherwise would never be given a chance. This is a film that has enough merits to warrant adding it to your collection.

Glen Pitre co-wrote this story with Chuck Walker. Walker has a comedy and another western for his two previous scripts. He also directed both of those films as well as another action flick. Pitre has more experience as a writer. He has penned scripts for several documentaries and a few shorts as well as a romance thrown in for good measure. This demonstrates the fact that he is still experimenting with screenplays and is willing to try different formats. It also allows the writer to test out how various genres can be blended. Few films now are made along the lines of a single type. In this case the motivation for the plot is classic; revenge. Here a local legend is framed for murder, imprisoned and eventually left for dead. When he escapes he has one thing on his mind; getting even. If this plot sounds familiar it is. Clint Eastwood had much of the same set of circumstances in the 1968 western classic ‘Hang ‘em High’. Adding to the motivation here is those men also murdered his family. As mentioned a traditional western is not prone to consider such things as laws, constitutional rights or due process. A man who was grievously wronged took it on himself to exact what is due to him. This story is classic in its approach to these themes. It returns the western to its most primal form. This is part of the appeal to this type of movie. Sitting there watching it the audience is transported back to a time and place where men where men and they acted on their impulses. Civilization was something that was a long journey away; back east. This primitive show of raw emotions takes the viewer out of his comfortable life to when there was excitement and danger around every turn.

As a director Pitre’s previous experience helps a lot here. He concentrated a lot on documentaries, thrillers and a historical drama. This film has a certain look and feel of a documentary to it. It is a straightforward approach to movie making that is aided by cinematographer Stops Langensteiner. This was his first time in such a vital position but he sets up the scenes and lighting with a flair that makes the movie visually interesting. A film like this doesn’t need any fancy camera tricks; it is a story best told without flourish. Still there is a touch of style here that puts the potential of Pitre on display. He uses the camera as a voyeur giving the audience a long hard look into the lives of these people. This is where his time spent in documentaries helps a lot. The film is able to pull the audience in and not let go.

The film starts with some old photographs that burn away. It places the time after the Civil War and the subsequent reconstruction. We then see a group of former slaves still working hard in the fields. The films as a sepia tone giving it that old time feel to it. As the people walk back home the color palette moves to a more natural look. A man, Billy Duke (James Patrick Stuart), rides up and orders them back to the fields but one of the group notes that slavery is now over. Duke tries to take back an old mule but he had forced the former slave to buy it. Duke shoots and kills the animal. He then whips the leader of the small group. This quickly establishes the villain of the film and just how deserving he is of anything that happens to him later. Next we see Reese Paxton (Eric Braeden) and his wife Angelique (Carol Alt) in their remote cabin along with their son. The former slaves have come to him; one badly scared from the whipping. Reese rides out to the luxurious Duke house to confront Billy and his powerful father Judge Duke (George Kennedy). The Dukes still live the old lifestyle with many slaves still in attendance. The Dukes fire Reese as their plantation supervisor and Reece is basically okay with it and the prospect of a fresh start. Of course this is not going ot happen if you want to have a movie. The Dukes gather a gang led by Amos (Armand Assante), to lynch one of the former slaves. When Reese complains he winds up in jail. The take him back to his place where they murder his family in front of him and then sends him to prison. When he eventually gets out retribution is all that is on his mind.

The one thing that helps to set this film apart from the pack is the use of older actors to portray the main characters. It gives the pacing a different direction and helps to bring out the emotional impact of the movie. It also allows the use of some great, seasoned actors who really know their way around a film. This is a very good example of the classic American western and should not be missed.