This movie opened up with the tough western man who was challenged to die or survive by his old one-time friends when water separated them. Their was water only for two and his partners teamed up against him and left him with nothing in the middle of the desert expecting him to die. In 1908 the west was beginning to change but Cable Hogue, played by Jason Robards, was yet to embrace the changes. In desperate need of water Cable was stumbling along in the sand of the desert in need of water but none was in sight. A muddy boot toe startled him and water was found. He was in the middle of the desert on a stage line and he found water.
Starting a business of selling water he also began his own graveyard when one customer refused to pay. Still unable to change and accept the modern ways he chose to sit and wait for his two ex partners to show up again for a drink of water and he could extract his revenge. Many things happened but the best event seemed to be the introduction of Hildy, played by Stella Stevens. She was an eyeful that attracted Cable into a love story and songs rolled out of this combination.
The director Sam Peckinpah changed his view of the western frontier from violence to one of whimsy odd happenings. I enjoyed this movie but it seemed a little far-fetched and not totally believable in the west that I recognize. I still would recommend this movie a western example of tongue in cheek humor.
