Comes a Horseman
Performance & Direction: Comes a Horseman Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Comes a Horseman (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Western.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Western is often anchored by its ensemble, and Comes a Horseman features a noteworthy lineup led by James Caan . Supported by the likes of Jane Fonda and Jason Robards , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Comes a Horseman (1978) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Comes a Horseman
Quick Plot Summary: Comes a Horseman is a Western, Drama, Romance film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Comes a Horseman
Ending Breakdown: Comes a Horseman concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to western resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the western themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Comes a Horseman reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Comes a Horseman?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Western films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Comes a Horseman
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $9.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: Comes a Horseman
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Comes a Horseman Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreComes a Horseman Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about Comes a Horseman age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Comes a Horseman is 118 minutes (1h 58m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Comes a Horseman is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Comes a Horseman worth watching?
Comes a Horseman is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Western movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Comes a Horseman parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Comes a Horseman identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Comes a Horseman?
The total duration of Comes a Horseman is 118 minutes, which is approximately 1h 58m long.
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Critic Reviews for Comes a Horseman
Horsewoman. Surely? Comes a Horseman is directed by Alan J. Pakula and written by Dennis Lynton Clark. It stars Jane Fonda, James Caan, Jason Robards and Richard Farnsworth. Music is by Michael Small and cinematography by Gordon Willis. It seems the ideas and willing behind Comes a Horseman are made of sturdy stuff, you sense that the makers wanted to make a reflective post-modern Western set in post World War II times. Tonally they get it mostly right, it is very sombre, both in characterisations and the changing of the times thematic beat. Plot is hardly thrilling as Robards' land baron plots to oust Fonda and Caan out of their respective homesteads in readiness for the oil company to come destroy the magnificent landscape. Ella Connors (Fonda) is a feisty but vulnerable woman, Frank Athearn (Caan) is fresh out of service in the war and carries the emotional scars of said battles. They form an unsteady alliance to ward off Jacob Ewing (Robards), but as past turmoil's come to the surface it's touch and go as to who, if anyone, will win out. With the Colorado landscape beautifully captured by Willis, and the performances (including an Academy Award Nomination for Farnsworth as Ella's sage old ranch hand) solid as a rock, the pic retains interest if you can tolerate the laborious pace favoured by Pakula. There a couple of action sequences within, but they feel like afterthoughts, so we are left to buy into the rueful characterisations and their respective attempts at post war living out there on the ranges. 6.5/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
