Why Ed Harris chose a traditional Western over modern revisionist filmmaking styles

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Director Ed Harris sought to revive the classic Western aesthetic with his 2008 film Appaloosa. By focusing on the unspoken bond between two lawmen rather than deconstructing the genre, Harris aimed to capture the spirit of legendary films like My Darling Clementine while grounding the story in smart, contemporary psychological depth.

Released in 2008, Appaloosa is an adaptation of a 2005 novel by Robert B. Parker. Ed Harris, who directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Robert Knott, was drawn to the source material because it functioned like a traditional Western while incorporating crime themes that felt relevant to modern audiences. Harris intentionally avoided the revisionist approach common in recent years, preferring the old-fashioned style seen in classics such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and 3:10 to Yuma.

The production faced significant hurdles, including concerns from New Line Cinema regarding the commercial viability of Westerns during a season dominated by blockbusters like The Dark Knight. The project stalled, leading original cast member Diane Lane to depart. However, the success of the HBO series Deadwood and the 2007 remake of 3:10 to Yuma helped get the film back on track. Filming eventually took place over nearly two months in late 2007 across New Mexico and Texas with a budget of $20 million.

Central to the film is the relationship between lawmen Virgil Cole, played by Harris, and Everett Hitch, played by Viggo Mortensen. Harris wanted to explore the unique, guarded comradeship between the two characters, noting that such deep, non-intimate bonds are rarely depicted outside of sports or police work. To prepare for the role, Mortensen studied drawings by Frederic Remington to master the physical presence required for a gunfighter. While early festival reviews were mixed, the film ultimately earned a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the chemistry between the leads and the film's psychological nuance.

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