Robert Duvall’s Western With One Of His “Best Performances” Is Streaming For Free

by

Robert Duvall, the acclaimed actor known for playing Tom Hagen in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, has died at the age of 95. He was nominated for an Academy Award seven times, winning Best Actor in 1984 for his role in Tender Mercies. The outpouring of tributes from fellow filmmakers, including messages from Adam Sandler and Francis Ford Coppola, highlights Duvall’s lasting impact on the industry.

Besides Tender Mercies, Duvall appeared in several westerns and similar films, such as Open Range with Kevin Costner and The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid. He became a favorite among western fans, and he personally considered his work in the genre to be some of his best, particularly a film he made in 1991.

The ’90s Western Movie Where Robert Duvall Gave One Of His “Best Performances”

Robert Duvall famously turned down The Godfather Part III—a decision that proved to be a good one. He then starred in Convicts alongside James Earl Jones and Lukas Haas, a film adapted from a play by Horton Foote. The story takes place on a Texas sugar plantation in 1902, and Duvall plays Soll Gautier, a former Civil War soldier and the plantation owner, who is slowly losing his mental faculties due to age.

I was completely drawn into the story of young Horace, or ‘Hass’ as he’s called. At thirteen, he ends up working for this really tough guy named Soll, basically doing forced labor alongside prisoners on a plantation. Thankfully, a kind couple, Ben and Martha Johnson, take him under their wing. But honestly, watching him try to earn Soll’s respect and actually get paid what he deserves? That was the real emotional core of the film – a much harder battle than just surviving the work.

Directed by Peter Masterson and based on a script by Horton Foote, Convicts is a thoughtful, deliberately paced drama that tackles issues of racism, fairness, and social class. The film largely serves as a showcase for Robert Duvall’s acting, as his character, Soll, struggles with failing health and growing distrust, requiring a nuanced and complex performance. More focused on exploring Soll’s personality than telling a fast-moving story, Duvall skillfully portrays a deeply flawed and unlikeable man.

Duvall himself certainly had a high opinion of Convicts, telling The AV Club in 2022:

I recently rewatched a film called Convicts, and it reminded me how proud I am of my performance in it. It’s a very down-to-earth movie, written by Horton Foote. Both Horton Foote and Francis Ford Coppola, both from Texas, were incredibly supportive early in my career and helped me establish myself as an actor.

Why Convicts Is Worth Streaming

The film Convicts is pretty obscure today—even Robert Duvall, who starred in it, had forgotten about it! It wasn’t a hit with audiences or critics when it was released, and it currently has a low 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite all that, Convicts is definitely worth watching now.

Robert Duvall delivers a phenomenal performance in Convicts, reminding audiences of his impressive range beyond his iconic roles in films like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid. The film is often unfairly overlooked, with some criticizing its deliberate pace and thoughtful story when it truly shines due to its strong acting and well-developed characters.

You can now watch Convicts for free on Tubi. It’s a fantastic, lesser-known film and a standout performance in the incredible career of Robert Duvall.

Read More

2026-02-17 19:58