So, how was that Jane Eyre? Bad Company comes from director Robert Benton, who also wrote the screenplay with David Newman. The film features Jeff Bridges, Barry Brown, Jim Davis, David Huddleston and John Savage. Harvey Schmidt composed the music, and Gordon Willis handled the cinematography. Young men trying to avoid being drafted into the Union Army during the Civil War head West hoping for a better life. What they discover is something entirely different. The 1970s brought many Western films that were quite unlike the more upbeat productions of the 1950s. Filmmakers working in the genre quickly began focusing on darker stories or unusual, unconventional pieces. The world was changing and directors and writers felt comfortable portraying the Wild West as anything but romantic or heroic. Bad Company is one such film. Benton’s movie immediately establishes its tone with a striking opening scene where Union soldiers round up young boys in a way that's almost like kidnapping—it just needs some big mustaches and lollipops to complete the picture. We meet Drew Dixon (Brown), a religious young man sent West by his mother for a chance at a richer life. He quickly falls in with a rough crowd, led by Jake Rumsey (Bridges), the head of a group of young thieves. The West depicted here is bleak; Rumsey’s gang doesn't hesitate to steal money from small children or even mistreat a stray cat. Throughout the film, we are frequently reminded that people came West seeking fame and fortune, only to find misery. One man tries to sell his wife to the young gang for ten dollars each, older members of the group rob the younger ones, and weapons must be traded just to get a meal—essentially slop. There’s no honor among thieves; betrayal comes naturally. And pain, death, and harsh realities are always close by. Despite all this, there's humor in the movie, which is much needed as it highlights the naivety of youth or misplaced confidence, or just simple camaraderie. You can find some laughs with clever dialogue or a sharp put-down, but given the nature of the story, a sad or shocking moment isn’t far off. The film is made in Technicolor, but the colors are muted with autumnal filters, which perfectly complements the realistic feel of this Western. Schmidt's music ranges from somber piano pieces to more cheerful tunes, depending on what’s happening onscreen. The cast is excellent; Bridges and Brown are believable in their roles, and the other young actors are well-directed. Big Joe’s (Huddleston) gang includes familiar character actors that fans of Westerns will recognize, like Geoffrey Lewis (The Culpepper Cattle Co., High Plains Drifter), Charles Tyner (Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales), and Ed Lauter (Breakhart Pass, Dirty Little Billy). Debunking myths about the West, Bad Company is a must-see for Western fans who want a more grounded approach to storytelling. 8/10

Source on TMDB