Extreme Prejudice (1987)

Extreme Prejudice (1987) is a neo-Western action thriller directed by Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte, Powers Boothe, Michael Ironside, and Maria Conchita Alonso. Blending the hard-edged ethos of classic Westerns with modern crime drama, the film unpacks themes of loyalty, law, and betrayal on the unforgiving Texas-Mexico border.

🔥 Story Overview

  • Jack Benteen (Nick Nolte) is a by-the-book Texas Ranger haunted by his past friendship with Cash Bailey (Powers Boothe)—now a ruthless drug kingpin operating just across the border.
  • When a black-ops military unit led by Major Paul Hackett (Michael Ironside) rolls into town under a covert mission, Jack’s pursuit of justice becomes tangled in a larger, more dangerous conspiracy.
  • Loyalties fray and secrets unravel as personal history collides with professional duty, leading to an explosive desert showdown where no allegiance is safe—and no one walks away clean.

✅ Why It Stands Out

  • Walter Hill’s Signature Style:
    Gritty atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and unflinching action in a modern Western setting.
  • Powerhouse Performances:
    Nolte and Boothe deliver rugged, emotionally charged portrayals of two men on opposite sides of the law but bound by a shared past.
  • Relentless Action:
    Packed with tense standoffs, fiery shootouts, and a slow-burning intensity that pays off in blood-soaked catharsis.

🏆 Reception & Legacy

  • Released on April 24, 1987, Extreme Prejudice received mixed reviews—praised for its visceral action but critiqued for underdeveloped characters.
  • Despite this, the film has since earned cult classic status, admired for its tough-as-nails tone, Western noir aesthetic, and Hill’s uncompromising direction.

Extreme Prejudice stands as a bullet-riddled tribute to the myth of the lone lawman—where justice is a dusty road paved with consequences.

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