Synopsis

After World War II, lifelong friends Pete Calder and Big Boy Matson return to the cattle country of Hi-Lo, New Mexico. Their partnership is strained when both become involved with the same woman, while changing economic conditions and shifting loyalties challenge their traditional way of life. Set against a rugged southwestern landscape, the film examines friendship, desire, pride, and the fading mythology of the American West.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on Max Evans' 1961 novel, which drew on the author's experiences in northeastern New Mexico and his knowledge of ranching life.

• Sam Peckinpah pursued the property for decades, but died in 1984 before he could make the film. The project later reached Martin Scorsese through actor L. Q. Jones, who brought the novel to Scorsese's attention.

• Evans described Peckinpah's proposed version as an extremely ambitious "Gone With the Wind" of the West. Peckinpah's screenplay reportedly ran about 160 pages and would have produced a film close to four hours long.

• Principal photography took place in New Mexico from September 22 through December 4, 1997. Locations included San Jose, Cerrillos, Espanola, Galisteo, and the Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch.

• The original novel's title was styled The Hi Lo Country. The 1998 film added the hyphen.

• Carter Burwell's score was complemented by Western swing performances and songs associated with performers including Don Walser, Leon Rausch, and Rose Maddox.

• The film received several honors after release, including the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 1999 Berlin International Film Festival and the National Board of Review's Breakthrough Performance award for Billy Crudup.