William Goldman originally wrote this as a film script which at one stage was going to be done by Robert Redford. It would up as a TV mini series at a time when that was considered a notable drop in prestige. And indeed it is directed and mounted in that crappy American TV way - musical stings for ad breaks, a tendency to over dramatise, shoddy acting in minor roles (eg the father of the 14 year old killed).
It's still interesting and the action does dovetail well into two parts. Part one is young Tom Horn - discovered by Al Seiber (Richard Widmark) and ushered off to scout against the Indians, particularly Geronimo. They have a few fights, he has a cute friends with benefits relationship with a widow played by Karen Black. David Carradine is ideal - he looks like he could exist in the 19th century. Widmark is fine.
Part two and Horn is more of a bad ass. It's never clear if he killed the kid but it is clear that he has become quite ruthless. He's a different sort of character and its to Carradine's credit that the actor is just as believable in the part.
The script is okay. I feel it needed more delicate handling. There's some neat exchanges, but I don't know how much was Goldman's. It's also possible the work packed in too much - there's no central relationship to hang on really. There is Horn and Sieber for a bit and Horn and his made up girlfriend but that's it.
Richard Masur is effective in a small role.
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