Ride in the Whirlwind
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Ride in the Whirlwind is a 1966 Western film directed by Monte Hellman and starring Cameron Mitchell, Millie Perkins, Jack Nicholson, and Harry Dean Stanton. Nicholson also wrote and co-produced the film. A trio of cowboys are forced to become outlaws due to a case of mistaken identity by the local authorities.
Plot
A gang of outlaws led by Blind Dick (Harry Dean Stanton) stop a stagecoach, remove a man and hang him. Another trio of cowboys, Vern (Cameron Mitchell), Wes (Jack Nicholson) and Otis (Tom Filer), come upon the hanged man but nonetheless stop to rest for the night at the gang's remote hideout. Neither group of men trust the other. In the morning, they all find themselves surrounded by a vigilante hanging party and a shoot out ensues. The outlaws are burned out of their shed and Blind Dick and Indian Joe are hanged by the vigilante posse. Of the trio Otis is shot and the other two are forced to flee and become fugitives as a case of mistaken identity and thought to be part of the original gang.
Vern and Wes take refuge at a farm belonging to Evan (George Mitchell), who lives alone with his wife and daughter. Although innocent and good guys, the two hold the family hostage until they can make an escape. After a member of the vigilantes passes by and questions Evan, the two try to escape taking Evan's horses. Evan shoots and wounds Vern and Wes shoots and kills Evan. Wes and Vern ride off together on one horse with the posse in pursuit. Eventually Vern can go no further and falls off the horse. Dying he tells Wes to ride off alone but holds off the posse until Wes can ride safely into the sunset.
Cast
- Cameron Mitchell as Vern
- Jack Nicholson as Wes
- Tom Filer as Otis
- Millie Perkins as Abigail
- Katherine Squire as Catherine
- George Mitchell as Evan
- Harry Dean Stanton as Blind Dick (credited as Dean Stanton)
- Rupert Crosse as Indian Joe
- B.J. Merholz as Edgar
- Peter Cannon as Hagerman
- Brandon Carroll as Quint Mapes
- John Hackett as Winslow
- William A. Keller as Roy
- Charles Eastman as Drummer
