After almost a decade-long hiatus from the saddle, Clint Eastwood returned to the good-as-dead western genre as director and star.

A greedy corporate mining boss wages war on a community of independent pan miners in order to drive them out. A mysterious preacher (Eastwood) rides into town and soon takes up the miners’ cause, leading to a violent clash with the tycoon and his armed cronies.

It’s a solid western from the man who defined the genre in the latter half of the century. Look for a young Chris Penn as the boss’ son.

Grade: A-

Pale Rider is currently available.