Before Riddick, there was Russell.
The similarities are obvious. Riddick of modern sci fi fame, is obviously based on Russell of Hombre.
Seven letters, starts with R, then a vowel, a double consonant, a vowel, and two consonants. The characters are totally alike. Both are definitive anti heroes to the max.
There have been three perfect models for anti heroes in films-Riddick, Russell, and Ethan of the Searchers.
They do what they must, and rules mean nothing. Fair fights are for Greek demigods with superiority complexes.
John Russell (Paul Newman) is "Hombre". He quietly does what he does. He is a white man raised by Apaches and part of the Apache police.
He wants to settle down. He gets a rebuttal from a middle aged woman, about his age, and winds up on a stagecoach with her.
Also along is Martin Basalm, a meek and likable character who tries to get along with everyone.
And there are two villains on the coach. Three, if you count the young wife of the real villain of the movie.
The second villain is the physically dangerous one, played by Richard Boone. He has a gang helping him rob the stage. One of the gang is the middle aged woman's ex lover, played by Cameron Mitchell.
But the real villain is played by Fred March. He does just a great snake oils job that many people forget he's the true villain. He plays an Indian agent who stole from the Indians and starved them. Richard Boone means to steal from him.
"Hombre" strikes back, killing two of the gang immediately, including Cameron Mitchell. The other three race off with the evil villain's young wife, but Hombre has the money.
The other passengers go along with Hombre. He tries to ambush the remaining three bad guys while they come after the money, but his plan is foiled by a nervous Basalm. This is when he gets the nickname "Hombre", by a vaquero whom he wounds. The vaquero says "Hombre, I will give this bullet back to you".
There is a lot of wit going on. The vaquero actually hates the idea that he will have to either kill or be killed by Hombre, but it's his work.
The most memorable line is the one that establishes Russell as the ultimate anti hero, when Richard Boone comes to talk to him under a white flag of truce, and then wants to return down a hill in safety.
This is a classic Western about credible characters in incredible circumstances, which is generally what makes a classic.