Marriage under Western Skies

On doing some research on Sam Peckinpah's western films, I was reminded of some curious thoughts he expressed on marriage in his film "Ride the High Country" (1962) (1)

Peckinpah challenges his viewers to look beneath the surface in this movies most startling scene, a mining-town wedding of grotesque character.

The bride, played by Mariette Hartley has run-off with her betrothed, but has no idea that his four brothers mean to share her on the wedding night. The town's brothel serves as her wedding chapel, the heavily made-up madam as her bridesmaid, and four fatigued whores as flower girls.

Presiding over the ceremony is a not completely sober justice of the peace (Edgar Buchanan)in a soiled suit, who has to be helped to his feet to perform his duties.

The justice of the peace then exceeds everyone's expectations. He first says:

"Marriage is to entered into soberly."

Then: "A good marriage has a simple glory about it. It is like a rare animal: It's hard to find and almost impossible to keep."

Then, instead of offering encouragement, the Justice gives them this warning:

"People change, and that's important for you to know at the beginning - people change. The glory of a good marriage don't come at the beginning, it comes later on. And it's hard work."

Sam Peckinpah wrote this scene as well as directed it. He also had the unusual experience of being married five times, three to the same woman. If this is wisdom that he wanted to pass along, I'm willing to accept it...



(1) Ideas in this blog were identified in the New York Observer, January 29, 2006.