[Eastwood] understands so well how he works on the screen that the movie has a resonance that probably was not even there in the screenplay.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
fresh:
It's good to be back in the saddle again.
– Derek Adams,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
fresh:
It's all been seen before, but Eastwood serves it up with authority, fine craftsmanship and a frequent sense of fun.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Oct 2008
rotten:
Pale Rider does nothing to disprove the wisdom that this genre is best left to the revival houses. A double feature of Shane and Eastwood's High Plains Drifter will do just fine, thanks.
– Richard Corliss,
TIME Magazine,
26 Oct 2008
fresh:
Though the metaphysical overtones of the screenplay are sometimes awkwardly handled and Eastwood's direction of actors (other than himself) is occasionally uncertain, this was one of the better American films of 1985.