INCIDENT AT CRESTRIDGE

Cinemavixion Review

Jud Taylor's "Incident at Crestridge" offers a compelling look at female empowerment in the ostensibly patriarchal landscape of the 1981 American West. Eileen Brennan delivers a nuanced performance as a woman who challenges the entrenched corruption and incompetence of the local law enforcement, ultimately seeking and winning the sheriff's office. The film masterfully juxtaposes the stark, rugged setting with the intimate, often tense, political maneuvering required to enact change. Brennan's portrayal is a study in quiet determination, navigating a system resistant to her authority. While the film may not boast the explosive action of contemporary Westerns, its strength lies in its thoughtful exploration of systemic issues and the courage required to confront them, making it a noteworthy piece of television cinema from its era.