Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Hearts and Spurs Synopsis
Oscar has been sent to the plains to make a man of himself, is soon visited by his sister Sybil Estabrook, who travels west along with her maid in tow. Oscar, who has been losing at cards to Victor Dufresne, is forced by him to rob a stagecoach in order to pay off his gambling debts. Hal Emory, an honest cowpoke, rescues Sybil from a landslide, winning her affection. Hal later learns of Oscar's actions and himself takes the blame for the holdup in order to protect the boy. Dufresne plans to kill Oscar, and Hal arrives just in time to prevent the crime. Dufresne is later killed by falling rocks, Oscar settles his account with the law, and Hal wins Sybil's love.
The Land of Long Shadows Synopsis
In the land where the Sun hangs low and the hungry wolves shadows play ominously over the everlasting snow, Joe Mauchin meets Jeanne Verette. He is a trapper, come down to the little post of Mead's Pocket, a vicious mining town, for supplies. She, the daughter of a saloonkeeper who compels her to "drum up trade" among his maudlin patrons. Joe falls in love with Jeanne. A brute of a man seeks to interfere and in the resultant struggle falls dead. Joe and Jeanne flee to his camp miles away and a year's happiness follows. Then the trapper finds Constable McKenzie of the Mounted Police half dead in the snow. Joe revives the officer and carries him to his cabin. Straightway McKenzie arrests the trapper for the saloon death. A desperate fight ensues between the two and the constable, overpowered, flees for aid. He is last seen in the woods, staggering from the effects of a wound, and with a pack of wolves slowly drawing in on him. Joe, in the cabin, draws to his arms Jeanne who is shyly clutching a newly made bit of baby clothes. It is that for which Joe had fought.
"Hearts and Spurs" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Land of Long Shadows" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Hearts and Spurs