It’s easy to see why this is Peckinpahs favorite film of his own. It’s an allegory that maps perfectly onto his life. A bum robbed of every thing he has in the desert, finds an oasis of water that nobody else has discovered and builds a town named after himself. Although he seeks revenge, he practices forgiveness and love, never getting too attached to his discovery.
Also, I loved how he gets killed by a car in the end. A tremendous metaphor for progress’ ruthless growth. Cable Hogue’s kindness is almost as antiquated as a horse and buggy.