Welcome to Hard Times

Adapted from EL Doctorow's novel, Kennedy's film casts a cold eye on the career of a one-horse frontier town, from its initial destruction by an itinerant hellraiser (Ray), through its redevelopment (initiated by a travelling whorehouse) and final near-extinction by the returning villain. Intriguing for its use of Fonda, whose personal cowardice is responsible for the town's internal death wish, and whose peace-making liberal intentions bring about the nihilistic ending: three-quarters of the population lying dead among the smoking ruins. There's also an immaculate cast of standard Western supporting actors. CPea.