Action,Comedy,Western
United States of America
The Ballad of Cable Hogue is a 1970 Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah and stars Jason Robards in the lead role of Cable Hogue. The movie is set in the Arizona desert in the early 1900s.
Cable Hogue is a failed prospector who has been betrayed and left to die in the desert by his business partners, Taggart and Bowen. He miraculously survives and discovers a waterhole in the desert, which he calls "Hogue's Oasis". The waterhole is the only source of water for miles and is in an ideal location for the stagecoach line to stop for a rest.
Hogue decides to take advantage of this and builds a way station, where he provides water, food, and shelter to the stagecoach passengers and drivers in exchange for a fee. He also begins a relationship with a prostitute named Hildy, who he convinces to move in with him.
As Hogue's Oasis becomes a successful business, Taggart and Bowen return and try to take over the way station. Hogue is able to outsmart them and keep control of his business. However, Hogue's world is turned upside down when the automobile arrives, and the stagecoach business starts to decline rapidly.
The movie explores themes of redemption, revenge, and the impact of modernization on traditional ways of life. It has been praised for its unique blend of comedy and drama, as well as its unconventional storytelling and strong performances.
