The Virginian

Filmmaking's friendship with The Virginian, the laconic hero of Owen Wister's 1902 novel, is winningly renewed in this robust, observant Western that follows four previous movie versions and a TV series. Codes of honor, murderous greed, swift retribution, a loner's impact on an untamed land: The greatest themes of Western movies ride with new vitality in this stirring and poignant saga of The Virginian.