Synopsis: In 1867, an engineer arrives in an American Western town with the task of studying the viability of building the new railroad bordering it. Also arriving in town are a woman and her daughter, who are related to the town lord in a special way.
Appraisal: This is a loose adaptation of a Thomas Hardy novel; the story as told in the film is interesting but not as engaging as I expected. The film is worthwile mainly for its mise-en-scene, that recreates the atmosphere of the place and period with satisfactory naturalism. I can't explain why they kept the lens out of focus at some sequences though -- I found that annoying. There are many interesting set-pieces -- a house is moved through a snow field; a horse is set on fire after a raft full of nitroglicerine being pulled across a creek explodes; etc. The dynamics of those western cities -- their provisional status, the sense of adventure -- is the real center of the film and gives it a poetic dimension that makes up for the lack of a dramatic edge to the story.
Rating: 57
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