Wuchak
A young man’s experiences in the forest service in Montana in 1919
RELEASED TO TV IN 1995 and directed by John Kent Harrison, "The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky" chronicles events in the western Montana wilderness in 1919 where ...
The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky
1995Movie92 minEnglish
A young ranger in the Montana wilderness discovers the great forces of nature while learning the importance of honor, trust and integrity. Legendary veteran ranger Bill Bell educates the young man and guides him toward manhood. The year is 1919-a time when being a ranger meant more than operating expensive equipment. Forest fires were fought with guts and courage, not chemicals and airplanes. Bill Bell was the toughest ranger in an elite crew of very rugged men. A figure of heroic proportions, he was generally feared and respected by all. It was even rumored that he had at one time killed a sheep farmer, which only fueled his already enormous reputation. The young ranger does everything to remain in the good graces of Bill Bell, the senior ranger he idolizes. Their tentative rapport grows into a friendship through a hilarious and heroic rite of passage in which the younger ranger meets the test-and the woman of his dreams.
Insights
IMDb6.3/10
Director: Hal Ashby•Genres: Comedy, Drama
Plot Summary
Three unlikely companions—a disillusioned movie director, a jovial cook, and a gruff old ranger—find themselves on an unexpected adventure in the wilderness. Stranded and forced to rely on each other, they confront their pasts and their differences. Their journey becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, regret, and the search for meaning in the rugged Australian outback.
Critical Reception
This lesser-known film by acclaimed director Hal Ashby received a mixed to positive reception. Critics often praised the performances of the lead actors and the film's thoughtful exploration of its themes, though some found its pacing uneven. Audiences generally appreciated the character-driven narrative and the picturesque setting.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for strong performances from Dreyfuss, Gould, and Elliott.
- The film's contemplative nature and outback setting were highlighted.
- Some reviews noted a slow pace in certain segments.
Google audience: Information not available.
Fun Fact
Although directed by Hal Ashby, the film was completed and released posthumously after his death in 1984, with the intention of being a follow-up to his film 'The Deep' with the same lead actors, but its production history is complex and it was not released until much later.
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