The Virginian (2014)

Trace Adkins plays The Virginian — aka Jefferson “South” Fuller — in this retelling of the 1902 novel by Owen Wister. He’s foreman on a Wyoming ranch run by a cattle king named Judge Henry (Ron Perlman), but wrestlers are threatening the empire they’ve built.

The Virginian suspects a no-account named Trampas (Steve Bacic) has something to do with the thievery, but is puzzled when Judge Henry hires Trampas to help put an end to the problem. You see, Judge Henry suspects the smaller ranchers, including a man named Balin.

Into this lawless Wyoming frontier arrives a school teacher named Molly West (Victoria Pratt), who The Virginian quickly takes a liking to; and a novelist from back East named Owen Walter (Brendan Perry), whom The Virginian takes under his wing.

He’s also trying to look out for an old buddy named Steve, who’s losing his battle with the bottle and who winds up losing his job on Judge Henry’s ranch. Next thing you know, Steve’s caught rustling, forcing The Virginian to enforce the “code of the West” against a good friend. That makes him even more determined to catch the man behind the rustling.

Trace Adkins as The Virginian in The Virginian (2014)

Victoria Pratt as Molly West in The Virginian (2014)

Review:

Better than it has any right to be given that this is such an oft-told tale and country singer Trace Adkins plays the lead. A solid script and the fact that it’s a great looking film, not afraid to depict a harsh Wyoming frontier with mud-filled streets, helps.

Adkins actually turns in a pretty solid performance, save for this awkward scenes with the school teacher. The fact that the filmmakers take liberties with the plot helps keep the material fresh.

Still, the 2000 version of the same story — starring Bill Pullman and Diane Lane — remains the best.

Steve Bacic as Trampas in The Virginian (2014)

John Novak as Steve in The Virginian (2014)

Directed by:
Thomas Makowski

Cast:
Trace Adkins … The Virginian
Victoria Pratt … Molly West
Ron Perlman … Judge Henry
Brendan Perry … Owen Walton
Steve Bacic … Trampas
John Novak … Steve
George Canyon … Sheriff Broyles
Damon Johnson … Stannard Driscoll
Brendan Meyer … Danny
Duncan Ollerenshaw … Balin
Darren Moore … Avery
Nicholas Croome … Young South
Michael Adamthwaite … Father

Runtime: 94 min.

Ron Perlman as Judge Henry in The Virginian (2014)

George Canyon as Sheriff Broyles in The Virginian (2014)

Memorable lines:

The Virginian to Owen after gunning down a rustler: “I’m going to the saloon to get me a drink. You can come with me or just stand there and shake. Don’t make no difference.”

Owen: “What’s his real name?”
Steve: “If the damn Virginian wants you to know his name, he’ll tell ya.”

The Virginian to Owen during a gun battle: “It’s just like shooting bottles. They just leak more.”

Trampas to The Virginian: “You know there can’t be heroes like you without sons of bitches like me.”

The Virginian, after Trampas has lost his horse: “You’re walking back.”
Trampas: “That’s 10 miles.”
The Virginian: “Yeah, well that’ll give you plenty of time to think about what an evil bastard you are.”

Sheriff to The Virginian: “You’re nothing but a dirty penny someone shined once.”

Brendan Perry as Owen Walton in The Virginian (2014)

Duncan Ollerenshaw as Balin in The Virginian (2014)

Victoria Pratt as Molly West in The Virginian (2014)

Trace Adkins as The Virginian in The Virginian (2014)