Monte Walsh
A seasoned cowhand and his closest friend struggle to find dignity, love, and purpose as the Old West’s working life disappears beneath them.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- intimate
- unsentimental
- quiet evening
- classic western marathon
What critics said
The film is broadly regarded as a strong, traditional western television drama, distinguished by its sound work, landscapes, and elegiac treatment of a vanishing cowboy culture.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The cowhands find dependable ranch work disappearing and their horse-based skills losing economic value.
Months of precarious ranch work, town interludes, rustling, and violence frame cowboy life as a fading occupation.
Monte and Chet’s long partnership and their relationships with fellow hands organize the emotional core.
The Alberta landscapes are presented as emotionally resonant spaces alongside the decline of the range way of life.
Films like Monte Walsh, and why
Monte Walsh
shared elegiac western atmosphere, aging cowhands, and the disappearance of a traditional frontier way of life
The Shootist
shared contemplative western tone, outsider masculinity, and the passing of the Old West
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
shared melancholy revisionist western mood and focus on aging working cowboys facing social change
Open Range
shared intimate frontier drama, rugged landscapes, and emotionally restrained male camaraderie
Movie Details
- Director
- Simon Wincer
- Release Date
- 2003-01-17
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (48)
Cast
- Tom Selleck
- Isabella Rossellini
- Keith Carradine
- George Eads
- Robert Carradine
- Barry Corbin
- James Gammon
- Rex Linn
- John Michael Higgins
- William Sanderson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Monte Walsh about?
- A seasoned cowhand and his closest friend struggle to find dignity, love, and purpose as the Old West’s working life disappears beneath them.
- What is Monte Walsh like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Monte Walsh as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Monte Walsh violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Monte Walsh as moderate.
- What did critics think of Monte Walsh?
- The film is broadly regarded as a strong, traditional western television drama, distinguished by its sound work, landscapes, and elegiac treatment of a vanishing cowboy culture.
- Which films are like Monte Walsh?
- Films with a similar feel include Monte Walsh, The Shootist, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, and Open Range.
- How long is Monte Walsh?
- Monte Walsh runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Monte Walsh?
- In United States, Monte Walsh is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
