Old Henry is one of the best new westerns to release in years, featuring an incredible performance from Tim Blake Nelson as gunslinger-turned-farmer Henry McCarty in a throwback western directed with love and care by Potsy Ponciroli.
So this video will be uncovering the most interesting easter eggs, references and behind the scenes stories from Old Henry, including its connection to Tombstone, the secret homage to John Wayne and what the director has said about the chances of an Old Henry sequel.
20 Things You Didn't Know About Old Henry
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👇 Let me know in the comments below: What was is YOUR review of Old Henry?
▶️ You might also want to check out this video counting down the Top 10 BEST Westerns Ever Made: • Top 10 BEST Western Mo...
ℹ️ Disclaimer - The information presented in this video was gathered through online research from various publicly available sources that are generally considered reliable. However, I cannot personally verify the validity or accuracy of every source. Therefore, while the information in this video aims to be as accurate as possible, it should not be considered as undisputed facts.
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#OldHenry #TimBlakeNelson #Westerns
the fact that Tim Blake Nelsons character so physically reminded me of what an aged Wiiliam Bonney would look like sold me right away this was gonna be a classic. loved it
I agree. If you had asked me if he would be the one to play this role I would have said no way. However, When I saw this movie I was blown away by his acting. He owned the role and made it his own. Now, I can't image anyone else pulling it off the way he did. Tim Blake Nelson is most certainly in my top 5 actors now. At this point, I think he could pull off any character he chose to. I'm highly impressed with the movie and the actor. Really top rate.
that and add the context of the conspiracy that billy was allowed to survive, and how much detail is added into a short movie. instant win
His performance was absolutely phenomenal, hands down my favourite new western
Best western made in a long long time. Love the historical concept.
It's just a fantastic movie. No explosions, no CGI, no stupid empty irritating smart ass one liners. Just a well acted movie with fantastic dialogue and characters that are believable, some mystery to make things interesting and some tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. The tempo of this movie is outstanding too. I really hope this has kicked off a new direction in movies because the last few years have been horrible.
It reminded me of Hell or Highwater in its rawness and believability.
Tim BlakeNelson's portrayal / acting was great in my opinion. I love westerns. I've seen 3 movies he's in, Oh brother Where art Thou, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, and Old Henry. He's done one heck of a job in all of them.
He was also really good in that Watchmen series from HBO
What made "Old Henry" work so well? Intriguing concept. Excellent script. Terrific performances. Art direction that imparted a grittiness and a sense of realism rather than making the environment look pretty (although some shots are oil-painting-perfect). Also, the editing heightens dangerous scenes and renders quiet scenes as more pensive. All in all, it is a great movie put together by a team of consummate professionals. I had no preconceptions when I started watching it, and knew nothing about it. I noticed the hints regarding his identity just enough to wonder about it, not enough to distract from the story. So ... a gem of a film.
Simply one the best Westerns for years , twigged the Billy The Kid connection very early on in the film , loved every minute of this to become classic western
Have watched it several times. Always something new to spot. Keeps my attention from start to finish, as a well crafted story should.
I really liked this movie As the movie was rolling I wasn't really sure if Old Henry was Billy the Kid but when it became clear that he was, I cheered because I knew that a good old fashioned ass whipping was about to take place. Great movie.
I’ve loved Western for the past 50 years and this is my new favorite. I think the simplicity of it all and just the basic story without a bunch of extra add-ons is what made this movie so well
Agreed. I love a movie that gets on with it and leaves out the bull butter.
For me, it was watching a superbly written story unfold on screen. Then there was an A-Ha moment, when it kicked in. I said to myself, Hot Damn....this is Billy The Kid! Awesome movie....excellent twist.
husted watched it. Got goosebumps when it all came together
One of the best western movies to come out in a very long time. Loved it.
Great movie, accurate in little details, Henry speaking Spanish with the right accent, the boy showing us clues in the footlocker, rewarding attentive viewers. Real feel to the father and son chemistry, reveals glimpses all through the movie, right up to the climax. One of my favorite movies in a long time
I just stumbled on this movie earlier this evening and enjoyed it immensely. The lead actors performance along with the overall feel of the picture were highlights. Bravo to this director and his cast.
One of the best westerns I've seen. I got goose bumps when it was clear it was Billy....
Just seen this movie and was truly blown away. Hidden gem for all western fans.
Well done movie, the best part is that every time 6 shots are fired the actors reload. No 30 shot revolvers in this movie.
Old Henry was an excellent movie. When I was a kid, I often ran around the (1950s) abandoned 'infamous" Yuma Prison! Lots of names carved in those prison walls.
This is one of the best westerns I've ever seen
My dad and I really enjoyed it because it felt so grounded and just pure acting talent
Only just seen this movie and knew nothing about it except the trailer when going into it. It's sublime. Tim Blake Nelson is exemplary and even without the reveal of Henry's true identity he looks astonishingly like the old photos from the time. What a stunning achievement.
What made it work so well was Tim Blake Nelson. He is without doubt the most underrated actor of this generation.
Completely agree. I was aware of his work but this film made me take notice. He owned this role! I think his career is getting ready to move up a few steps.
One the best western movies of last couple of decades and an instant classic.
Loved it. A big BtK fan so figured out who he was in the opening scene when I saw “McCarty” on his wife’s grave and heard the clues in the narration of his backstory. Played nicely on the lore that Garrett really let him go. Awesome slow burn building up to the explosive finally. As a Western should be. Looking forward to the video!
I loved this movie, perfect timing of everything and the actors were great, couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the kid as well as Tim Blake Nelson
For me the movie worked so well as I went in blind. I hadn’t read much about it so the entire Billy the Kid reveal was a complete surprise to me. This absolutely blew me away. As it is a hidden western gem I have surprised several western loving friends by telling them not to read anything about it but just watch it. They are also so thankful for not knowing this. Aren’t the best films always the ones with an unexpected, unspoiled twist at the end that completely blew you away?
just watched and loved old henry! great video! it adds so much context and history! thanks!
The scene when Henry starts speaking Spanish was great, another thing I really liked was seeing the wood carving the sheriff was making progress as the movie went on and by the time he finished it was when the party started.
Especially considering that Billy the Kid was known to speak Spanish as well, and was very likely (considering his friends and associates) fluent.
I actually came across this movie by accident and loved it. Tim Blake Nelson was incredible in this movie. Thanks for the insights regarding this movie. I need to watch it again. Two Thumbs Up movie!!!
The best western since Unforgiven.
"Old Henry," a tale set in the rugged frontier of the old Wild West, captures the very essence of the era's storytelling. Picture this: a lone farmstead, with vast, untamed lands stretching far as the eye can see. A lone farmer, Henry, a man of quiet strength and mysterious past, tills this land. His world's as simple as the soil he turns, yet as complex as the storms that rage above. Then, like a twist in a gunslinger's tale, a stranger arrives, wounded and weary, with a satchel of secrets and a posse of trouble hot on his heels. This moment, this fateful encounter, spins a yarn of suspense and moral quandary. It's like peering through the dusty saloon doors into a world where right and wrong blur like the horizon on a scorching day. "Old Henry" ain't just a story of gunfights and outlaws, though it's got plenty of that, make no mistake. It's a deep dive into the soul of a man, the nature of fatherhood, and the burdens of a past that's as hard to shake off as the dust of the trail. Tim Blake Nelson, embodying Henry, delivers a performance as raw and real as the leather on a cowboy's saddle. His portrayal speaks to the heart of what it means to be a protector, a survivor in a land where only the toughest, the wiliest, and the most resolute can thrive. Director Potsy Ponciroli, he paints this tale with strokes both broad and fine, capturing the beauty and brutality of the West. The cinematography, it's like each frame's a painting, telling a story all its own of this harsh, yet mesmerising world. The film doesn't just show you the West; it immerses you in it, with every gunshot echoing like a thunderclap in the vastness of the plains. In short, "Old Henry" is a testament to the enduring allure of Western tales. It's a story that grabs hold of you like a wild stallion and doesn't let go, a reminder of why these stories of the old West, with their heroes and villains, their morals and their misdeeds, continue to captivate us. It's a film that stands as tall and proud as a lone cowboy against a setting sun, a true homage to the spirit of the Wild West.
“Keep your head down, you’ll be alright.”
“Your him…..Bonney”
Ah, "Open Range" the one where in the final gun fight starts out with Kevin Costner's 6 shooter fired no less than 18 rounds without reloading?
Gun manufacturer was the same as the motor builder of the dirt bike in terminator 2 river chase scene. 18 speed gearbox
Loved the movie, loved your breakdown! So stoked to have a channel dedicated to one of my favorite genres!
The movie's mood was established at the beginning and never interrupted by non-sequiturs (ie; females). Female characters in this film would have changed the entire dynamic between Henry and his adversaries by needlessly complicating those relationships. This was a lean, mean western.
I really enjoyed this western movie not very authentic but very creative and beautifully filmed and now Amazon has their own Prime show be the Billy Kid in that show his protector of a town in forcing his own justice
Did A.I. make this video?
@enriquescott2983 how is it not very authentic?
Just like in real life my friend.
It reminded me of Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven but is ultimately the "Bad guy runs into a bigger bad guy" where the protagonist is a reformed villain trying to make his life right and is dragged back into his former life by a lesser villain. He is thoroughly wronged an at one point, once provoked, he will get his revenge and prove he was the ultimate badass. You see it in most action movies, martial arts, etc. Nobody, John Wick, Die Hard, etc...
The manic gun fight scene. Every great western treatment I’ve read describes gunfights not as quick draw fights, but as being able to be quick and accurate. Also, the fact it wasn’t the never ending revolver type gunfights. Showing the gunmen fire 6 times, realise their gun is empty, reload, and then continue shooting. That clinched it for me.
Huge western fan, this was a great movie which I have in my collection. Great casting and performances by the cast, really enjoyed the movie, got shivers when they finally realized he was Billy the Kid.
Big fan of the western genre. I can't believe this slipped through without me noticing. I am definitely going to give it a watch.
Crazy how underrated this movie is… The only thing that bothered me was the end action scene when it was like who won against seven everybody was a little too trigger, shy until they weren’t.
Isn't that how it would be in a real gunfight?
Tim Blake Henry was also in Lonesome Dove
The pacing was perfect in this movie, legit one of the best
I loved this movie. Went into it blind and thinking this was just another "mysterious badass with a past" getting revenge on unknowing bad guys. Normally, I'm really good at catching clues early one, but I have to admit, I turned a blind eye to them and was caught off guard at the reveal. Casting was great.
It was a great movie with an awesome twist! And refreshingling only 90 minutes long!
This is one of the best movies ive seen in a very long time just on content and character writing alone.
Excellent western and movie! An interesting twist to the Billy The Kid story, truth and fiction. I’ve seen Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, both Young Guns, Dirty Little Billy which is an excellent western itself…even Paul Neuman played Billy in the Left Handed Gun by Arthur Hill. Whatever happed to Henry McCarty, Tim’s portrayal gave it a lot of credibility and realism.
Fantastic work!!!!
It felt so grounded an I am all for it. It is a fantastic movie
Old Henry was awesome!
Excellent review love the movie never expected to be that good I feel like I’m gonna watch it again
Truly a great Western Movie. Well written and with a capable cast. Beautiful scenery and very believable that this was what really happened to Billy the Kidd. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨
Old Henry is such a GREAT film. Loved it.
Regarding Open Range...as a U.S. Marine combat vet, I was very happy to see the Old Henry gunfights didn't have any 12 shot revolvers like Open Range did (nor any 100/200 round capacity mags like the bank shootout in Heat that all the fan boys rave about being realistic)..from what I saw/counted, all the gunfights honored the six shooter reload requirement.
I think Tim B. Nelson made this movie. His personal appearance, scrubby non-heroic and down right plain appearance with his greasy unkempt hair hanging in his face - now that is a real westerner, farmer and common man look that is better then any I have ever seen. The legends of the old west were not well groomed handsome people, but just plain common folks. They pull fast and shoot straight because they do it often to kill that rattlesnake or take down the fox in the hen house. Tim B. Nelson was 110 % common folk. It is the common folk who draw the fastest and shoot the straightest, it is not the handsome groomed man or the beautiful woman that saves the world; it is always just common dog faced salt of the earth that saves the World.
I watched this movie about a year ago. It was outstanding.
Great video!
Old Henry is a magnificent film. The story, the writing, the performances and the direction are all top notch. If one is going to base a story on the Kid surviving that 1881 July night in Fort Sumner (he didn't), this makes for a much more believable narrative than the "Brushy Bill Roberts" fantasy that Young Guns III will have to follow. That plot is based on the tall tales of a man who made such absurd claims of accomplishment as to exceed what all the famous Old West figures in real history achieved combined. It's that far fetched. Old Henry, in contrast, has the Kid just disappearing from public view and leading a common life. Several of the actual men who rode with the Kid in the Lincoln County war (and after) did exactly that. They left New Mexico and started over, many living deep into the 20th century. To me, that is the best part of the story, taking the basic element that the kid survived and carrying it through a believable story line.
Best part of the movie was the scene in the wheat field and the sensation of the men tracking Henry that there was something going on with him that they didn't quite understand but that bothered them deeply, the part where one of the mentions that the man they're looking for knows how to cover his tracks. That little bit of dialog set up the whole rest of the movie brilliantly.
I loved the reveal at the end. Not being immersed in the lore, it was a great surprise.
What an awesome movie I never thought a billy the kid movie would ever come close to the quality of the young guns franchise but this 1 did it such an awesome movie
Was a brilliant film 🎥 with a twist if you have never seen it did see it coming first time watching highly recommended it enjoy
He also twirlled the pistol when he began shooting at the bad guys on his porch. Between shots 3 and 4 from the revolver.
It really caught me off guard that Henry was William Bonney. I really likeed it that that his identity was kept under wraps the way it was. Not even letting his son know but his brother-in-law knew his secret past.
"Care for some gopher?" "Me and Pete already had one apiece. We ran across a whole... gopher village" -Tim Blake Nelson O' Brother, Where Art Thou?
Old Henry enhances Billy's legacy , the most legendary gunslinger in the old west , no one could beat him .
One thing about the movie that really bugged me, was the name. Henry McCarty. It did sound familiar. And when I realized who Old Henry was, it so annoyed me that I didn't catch on earlier. It was in the open all the time. Henry McCarty was Billy's real name, and I knew that, but the coin just didn't drop! Excellent movie, by the way. Time Blake Nelson is fabulous in it!
Outstanding movie! As a history buff I figured out who he was right away. But I enjoyed how it developed to show who it was. Enjoyed this movie so much I’ve rewatched it quite a few times.
I watched it as soon as it came out and have watched it 3 or 4 times since love this movie
The John Wayne movie you showed where he hands his gun to James Caan was El Dorado, you state it’s Rio Bravo.
TB Nelson classic...TB Nelson the Great❤❤❤
Excellent!
This is a great film. Young guns is one of my favourite ever films and 2 was brilliant as well. Young guns 3 would be incredible.
He does a gun spin in the final shootout. Its a blink and you miss it moment just before he jumps back in the house through the window. It is so fast i had to see it at 0.25x speed to make sure.
This is a fine Western movie, definitely on my fave list.
I love Old Henry...awesome film
That John Wayne scene was not from Rio Bravo, It was from Eldorado.
wth?! didn't know that was the same guy that played Buster Scruggs!!! he's perfect for both characters.
After Pat Garrett shot Billy the Kid at the end of Young Guns II, Billy dreamed he was tearing up the desert as Buster Scruggs. When he woke up years later, he was Old Henry 😛
вторую то часть старого генри, снять не сложно..достаточно рассказывать в ней о промежутке между его официальной "смертью" и началом первой картины
One of the best movies ever not just Western this film is crazy that’s what you call a 10/10
The John Wayne movie mentioned was not Rio Bravo, but Eldorado
I love this film. Tim Blake Nelson was a perfect casting especially when you look at the famous tintype photo of Henry McCarty aka William H Bonney aka Billy The Kid
something in the way got me into old henry...... ; )
So damn good. Acting was amazing ❤
The background sky shot was a chemtrail...LOL!!!
Old Henry is like John Wick: both feature a compelling lead with a complex backstory we have to figure out gradually over time as the movie slowly feeds us clues. Old Henry hides a gun, and clippings, and seems to know just how to handle a bank robber, posse, etc. Not exactly what you'd expect from a simple farmer. Both clearly want escape and closure from a past that won't let them go.
Loved Old Henry. Liked the persona of the bad guy and his tenacious pursuit of Henry. Liked the attempt at personal redemption caped off by the God Father “they drag you back in” twist concerning Henry. The mix of old and new “relatively” handguns was cool. All in all just a great film for guys to enjoy. A romance involving a woman would have unnecessarily distracted from its hard edge.
Saw this the other day. It was decent. Nice twist at the end.
Give me a gunslinger of the west series from this just as grounded a new era of westerns
Was suuuchhhh an amazing movie; even worth multiple watches.
I love the real Billy the kid bounty photo when they revealed who he was
The movie is a sleeper, well worth a watch!
Just finished watching it... SOOO GOOD!!!!🤩
The movie sounds track is like no other : )
my favorite movie
Every 15 years or so the legend of Billy The Kid rehashes and we get a media sales blitz.
Excellent movie. I became interested in BTK since the Young Guns movies.
I'm a huge fan of the BTK lore, so this movie was a must for me. The best thing about this movie was the acting. The whole cast was incredible. Anybody else playing the kid would have been a disappointment. Nelson was spectacular.
Watching Old Henry now on Roku TV...
I loved it. It was clean, direct, and unconventional. I knew it was Billy the Kid when he opened the chest in the closet. The clippings gave it up immediately. Great reveal, though, and a good ending.
His first western was “Dead Man’s Walk” not Dead Man’s Hand
Brilliant movie