Western
United States of America
The Culpepper Cattle Co. is a 1972 Western film directed by Dick Richards and written by Thomas McGuane. The film follows the story of Ben Mockridge, a young man who dreams of becoming a cowboy and leaves his small town to become a part of a cattle drive.
Ben Mockridge (Gary Grimes) meets Frank Culpepper (Billy "Green" Bush), a cattle company owner and persuades him to take him on as a cowboy for a long cattle trail to a fort. Ben's mother barely notices his departure, and he is soon on a journey that would take him across the Wild West.
The journey is not what Ben had expected. Ben is assigned a position as a cook's assistant, where he is told to report as "Mary." His duties include cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning up after the cowboys. Although he is disappointed, Ben persists in his dream of becoming a cowboy and begins to learn the ropes of cattle driving.
As the cattle drive moves forward, Ben and the other cowboys encounter many challenges. They face fierce weather conditions, attacks from Indians, and the threat of rustlers. During their journey, Ben also faces personal challenges such as being robbed of his horse and witnessing crimes without being able to intervene.
The Culpepper Cattle Co. presents a realistic and gritty portrayal of the hardships and dangers of the cattle drive era. The film's impressive cinematography captures the vastness of the landscape and the isolation of the cowboys on the long trail.
The film's cast includes notable actors such as Bo Hopkins, Luke Askew, Geoffrey Lewis, and Matt Clark. The Culpepper Cattle Co. received positive reviews and was praised by critics for its realistic portrayal of the Old West and its themes of masculinity, honor, and perseverance.
