Molly And Lawless John (1972)

An outlaw (Sam Elliott) in jail awaiting trial sees that the sheriff's (John Anderson) wife (Vera Miles) is lonely and unhappy. He takes advantage of her loneliness by sweet talking her into helping him escape and taking her with him. But she soon finds that she's traded one abusive relationship for another. Directed by Gary Nelson (THE BLACK HOLE), this western drama is a rather listless affair. While it's interesting to see Sam Elliott (and already charismatic) so early in his career, ultimately the movie is as dry as the desert landscape where much of the film takes place. I suppose one could make a (weak) case for it as a feminist western but I'd write it off as a small indie with good ideas but a mediocre execution. The underscore is by Johnny Mandel (THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY) and the theme song with lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman received a Golden Globe nomination. With Clu Gulager and Cynthia Myers (BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS).