Double-crossed and left without water in the desert, Cable Hogue is saved when he finds a spring. It is in just the right spot for a much needed rest stop on the local stagecoach line, and Hogue uses this to his advantage. He builds a house and makes money off the stagecoach passengers. Hildy, a prostitute from the nearest town, moves in with him. Hogue has everything going his way until the advent of the automobile ends the era of the stagecoach.

Jason Robards
as Cable Hogue

Stella Stevens
as Hildy

Slim Pickens
as Ben Fairchild

David Warner
as Joshua

L.Q. Jones
as Taggart

Strother Martin
as Bowen

R.G. Armstrong
as Quittner

Peter Whitney
as Cushing

Gene Evans
as Clete

William Mims
as Jensen
John Chard
Peckinpah's lyrical vision of the West provides humour and comfort to director and viewer alike. The Ballad Of Cable Hogue sees Sam Peckinpah in jolly form. There is nothing here to trouble the censors, a bit of violence here and there - and some nasty human traits seam through the story, but thi...