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The Ballad of Cable Hogue Review: The Ballad of Cable Hogue seems an uncharacteristic movie for Sam Peckinpah, one of the masters of screen violence. In fact, the timing of this likable fable is remarkable, sandwiched between Peckinpah's two most disturbing examinations of violent human frenzy, The Wild Bunch and Straw Dogs. Not that Cable Hogue is exactly a walk in the flower garden: it features back-stabbing, murder, prostitution, greed, and a crooked preacher. But, as with Junior Bonner two years later, there is no denying the warm-hearted nature of this outing. In fact, for someone who had supposedly buried the revisionist western the year before with The Wild Bunch, Peckinpah keeps things nice and light, even in the darkest moments. Visual jokes and even slapstick are not out of bounds here. A lot of credit for keeping the balance of this tone must go to Jason Robards as Cable, who always has a surly, jocular look on his face. David Warner, Peckinpah staple and one of the most underrated actors of the Seventies, is also superbly waggish as the devilish man of God, Joshua Sloane. Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide

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