Hombre

John Russell travels with a mixed group of paying passengers aboard a stagecoach through the Southwest. He is visibly marked by his upbringing among Native people, which makes him an outsider in the eyes of many travelers who call him dangerous or strange. When the riders are menaced by a gang of outlaws, Russell does not panic he steps into the breach with calm competence and practical resolve. His actions prove more reliable than talk and help keep the group alive. As the danger grows the passengers confront their bias and the fragile lie of safety in numbers. The crisis tests loyalty, courage and what it means to belong.

Directed by Martin Ritt, Hombre adapts Elmore Leonard's story with a screenplay by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr. The 1967 Western pairs Paul Newman with a taut, character-driven tale about prejudice and survival.

The film cost about 5.86 million to make and earned roughly 12 million worldwide, giving it a solid return for its era and highlighting its appeal to broad audiences.

Hombre is often cited for its restrained tone and intelligent approach to Western myth making. Newman's stoic performance, the film's quiet tension, and its treatment of prejudice have influenced later adult Westerns and debates about who counts as a hero in frontier stories.

Critics praised the film for its moral ambiguity, crisp pacing, and strong cast. The story centers on how bias shapes judgment and how leaders emerge under pressure, offering a more somber, reflection driven view of the West than many genre films.