Unforgiven
A retired outlaw returns to the Wyoming frontier for one final act of revenge, only to confront the brutal truth behind legends of justice and heroism.
Overview
In a brutal quest for justice, a former outlaw confronts his past to protect the future of his children.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- austere
- grim
- serious movie night
- classic western marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Clint Eastwood's revisionist western as a harshly eloquent meditation on violence that strips away the romantic varnish of the Wild West.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
William Munny, Little Bill, and English Bob are presented as compromised, self-serving figures rather than uncomplicated legends.
Munny's return to killing is tied to regret, suffering, and spiritual degradation rather than triumphant adventure.
Munny is a destitute former outlaw, and Eastwood's direction and performance turn the story into a farewell to the classical western gunman.
Little Bill's insufficient sense of justice and control of Big Whiskey force the prostitutes to seek retribution outside the law.
Films like Unforgiven, and why
The Searchers
revisionist western treatment of violence, compromised heroism, and the mythology of the american frontier
The Wild Bunch
morally severe western centered on aging gunmen, regret, and the corrosive consequences of violence
High Plains Drifter
dark western drama examining law, revenge, reputation, and the collapse of heroic frontier ideals
Movie Details
- Director
- Clint Eastwood
- Release Date
- 1992-08-07
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (5128)
Cast
- Clint Eastwood
- Gene Hackman
- Morgan Freeman
- Jaimz Woolvett
- Richard Harris
- Saul Rubinek
- Frances Fisher
- Anna Thomson
- David Mucci
- Rob Campbell
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Unforgiven about?
- A retired outlaw returns to the Wyoming frontier for one final act of revenge, only to confront the brutal truth behind legends of justice and heroism.
- What is Unforgiven like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Unforgiven as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Unforgiven violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Unforgiven as graphic.
- What did critics think of Unforgiven?
- Critics broadly regard Clint Eastwood's revisionist western as a harshly eloquent meditation on violence that strips away the romantic varnish of the Wild West.
- Which films are like Unforgiven?
- Films with a similar feel include The Searchers, The Wild Bunch, and High Plains Drifter.
- How long is Unforgiven?
- Unforgiven runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch Unforgiven?
- In United States, Unforgiven is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
