Performance & Direction: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? features a noteworthy lineup led by Candy Clark . Supported by the likes of Marjoe Gortner and Stephanie Faracy , 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 When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.7/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Quick Plot Summary: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Ending Breakdown: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder??
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
All Cast & Crew →
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Parents Guide & Age Rating
1979 AdvisoryWondering about When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? is 113 minutes (1h 53m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1979 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? worth watching?
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder??
The total duration of When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? is 113 minutes, which is approximately 1h 53m long.
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Critic Reviews for When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Having left his past as a fraudulent child evangelist behind, Marjoe Gortner decided that his talents would be put to better use as an actor. After years of television work and roles in mostly second-tier (or worse) theatrical releases, he went for broke with a self-produced adaptation of playwright Mark Medoff's WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER (1979). Backed by a solid cast and with major studio distribution, Gortner set out to launch himself into A-lister territory. He does display a filthy charisma while verbally and mentally torturing his roadside captives, but that wasn't enough to keep his vanity project from sinking like the Titanic when it hit theaters. And that's a shame, since its cast makes it more than watchable, even if its tone is bleak and unpleasant from start to finish. Only readily available for viewing via uploads of truly risible quality, as it has never been (legally) released on any home video format in the U.S.A. Sadly, there is no indication that this situation will end anytime soon.
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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.
