Lonely Are the Brave (1962 David Miller)

Let's address the horse in the film: Whisky is played by a remarkable Andalusian (apparently), name unknown (at least after 20 minutes online, can't be found). The horse is a definite character and we winced as she's dragged up that damned New Mexico mountain.

Note old / new symbolism. Not just that - they're both on the scrapheap

Kirk optioned Edward Abbey's novel 'The Last Cowboy' and gave it to Dalton Trumbo to write - it was the studio's idea to change the title, which Kirk never liked - it's his own favourite film. "And something happened that had never happened before. He [Trumbo] wrote one script - that was the script we shot. It was a perfect script. He was an unusual talent..."

Yes. It's a great script, laced with dry humour ("Machine? Right.") And a huge irony that they are run over by a massive lorry delivering toilets - the old West meets the New. (There's a subtle woman and child by a simple grave early on, beside one of those ubiquitous fences, which is a kind of presentiment of doom.)

Great performances from Kirk, Gena Rowlands and Walter Matthau.  With George Kennedy, Michael Kane, Caroll O'Connor (lorry driver), William Schallert (deputy), Bill Bixby.

Music by Jerry Goldsmith, photographed by Philip Lathrop in Panavision, the few sets designed by Alexander Golitzen. Universal.

First saw it on TV 20 February 1977.