Virginian, The

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. Bill Pullman plays the title role and directs, steeping his film in the language and customs of the Old West, shaping it with story elements that Wister turned into staples of the Western genre and lassoing fine support from Diane Lane, John Savage, Dennis Weaver and James Drury, TV's Virginian during the series' long run. 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.

• western