atlasmb
"Rachel and the Stranger" is a story that takes place on the frontier during the early days of the Ohio Territory.Jim Fairways (Robert Mitchum), a frontiersman who likes to disappear into the woods for months at a time, rides onto the property of his friend, Dave Harvey (William Holden), to find that Dave is disconsolate over the death of his wife, Susan. The property has gone to seed and Dave's son, Little Davey, though independent, is fairly neglected.After talking with Dave, Jim says he will be back in the Spring. Dave figures he needs to honor the memory of his wife by giving Little Davey the attention he needs, as his mother had. He rides into town (the fort) to find female help. The preacher knows of a bondwoman who might be bought cheap and he intercedes to facilitate the deal. Her name is Rachel (Loretta Young).The story is about the changes that need to be made by father and son, still pining over Susan's absence. Eventually it takes the return of Jim--who recognizes Rachel's value--to really precipitate things. The story is filled with big moments of action, small moments of interaction, and silent moments of understanding. All three stars are strong in their roles and the boy is played very competently by Gary Gray. This is a charming story that, at its center, is a love story.Holden would arguably hit his stride in a couple of years ("Sunset Boulevard") and Mitchum a few years later ("The Night of the Hunter"). But Young, who was slightly older, was already accomplished. Her performance is quiet, but strong. Given the success of this film and its four complementary performances, a sequel probably would have done well. But we will have to settle for this memorable production.
fung0
This is one of my favorite westerns, certainly one of the very best in the light-hearted vein. It's enlivened by a lot of outdoor photography, a real feeling of frontier isolation, and by superlative performances from three of Hollywood's most enduring stars.The story is classic: a widower (William Holden) 'buys' a bondswoman (Loretta Young) to be his wife in-name-only, as a housekeeper on his remote farm and substitute mother for his young son. He takes the woman entirely for granted, until a likable drifter (Robert Mitchum) visits and shows a romantic interest in her.The film genuinely tugs at the heart-strings, and includes some moments of action and tension - yet it remains fundamentally warm and humorous. Holden is perfect as the befuddled farmer, who can't sort out his own feelings. Mitchum has one of his best roles, as the charming visitor. (Mitchum played this role of genial interloper multiple times, always to great effect - see also Holiday Affair, for example, or The Grass is Greener.) Loretta Young... what can one say? She's so immensely appealing here, that it's hard to understand why her name doesn't come up more often as one of the great leading ladies.This is truly one of those timeless films, that becomes more beloved with every viewing. It reminds me, in a distant way, of The Westerner, which is at heart also a love story. Or Along Came Jones, which also featured Loretta Young. But Rachel and the Stranger is more satisfying than those films; it works perfectly on multiple levels.Given it's high quality, I can only assume that Rachel and the Stranger is one of those many works that have been trapped in 'copyright limbo' by the idiotic intellectual-property legislation enacted in recent years. There's no other way to explain the lack of a properly-restored video release. TCM does show the film, fortunately, and there do seem to be various passable DVD editions floating around. But this film deserves better.If you love westerns, or good old Hollywood romantic comedies, definitely make some time for Rachel and the Stranger. You may not have heard of it, but it deserves to be remembered as a true classic.
Claudio Carvalho
In time of colonization of America, the widower David Harvey (William Holden) lives in an isolated farm in the woods with his son Davey (Gary Grey). Father and son miss their wife and mother Susan, who has recently died, and David concludes that he needs a woman to educate his son properly and to cook and clean the house. David decides to travel with Davey to the nearby fort to seek a woman and the reverend proposes the bond servant Rachel (Loretta Young) for him. David buys Rachel, and Davey overhears the negotiation; but the reverend demands that they should marry to each other to have a decent life in the same house. The trio travels back to the farm and David and Davey treat Rachel like a slave without any respect or affection. When David's drifter friend Jim Fairways (Robert Mitchum) visits them, he stays for a couple of days with the family and treats Rachel respectfully like a lady. Then Jim courts Rachel, and David feels jealous and realizes how important she is for him. "Rachel and the Stranger" is an adorable romance and I loved this western. I did not know the concept of indentured servant in America, and the humiliating situation of Rachel is heartbreaking, fruit of the unpaid debts of her father. Loretta Young has a fantastic performance and William Holden and Robert Mitchum have hilarious moments with their witty lines. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): "Rachel e o Estranho" ("Rachel and the Stranger")
MartinHafer
I have a pet peeve and before I begin I want to say a few words about it. I have done a huge number of reviews and am constantly noticing that even the most mediocre films get scores of 10 from some reviewers. While this is definitely a better than average film, no sane person could say it deserves a score akin to that of GONE WITH THE WIND or THE GODFATHER. I think it's great to love a film, but over-scoring it doesn't lend much credence to your review. Just my two cents worth and I'm sure I'll catch heck for saying it.As for this movie, it's a nice little family film that benefits from being very unique and having several wonderful performances. In this slice of pioneer life film, William Holden and his son are left alone after the death of his wife. Needing a mother for the boy and someone to help out around their frontier homestead, he travels to the nearby fort to find a wife. There, he buys an indentured servant (Loretta Young) and brings her back home after marrying her. Not exactly a romance, I know! Unfortunately, there never really is any romance, as Holden and son treat her more like a hired hand and after a while it's obvious she resents this--especially after she works herself to the bone caring for them. Into this very unhappy situation comes "the stranger" (Robert Mitchum)--who immediately realizes the problem and proposes to take Rachel away from this drudgery--and pay Holden for her! While there is a lot more to the film, this certainly made for an unusual flick.The performances all around are excellent and the film ended on a very good and not especially sappy note. Well worth your time and I have no serious complaints--other than the writer who indicated that Miss Young was playing a lady who was 25 (yeah, right!!). In actuality she was a decade older and she wasn't fooling anyone--but still a lovely woman regardless of the age difference.
AD
