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The Naked Spur
(1953),
Director: Anthony Mann, rated Approved
Strong men
are weak when a woman is bait!
  Starring:
James Stewart, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Ralph Meeker, Millard Mitchell
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"Now ain't that the
way? A man gets set for trouble head-on and it sneaks up behind
him every time!" - Ben Vandergroat
Why watch this?
Stewart portrays a bounty hunter desperate to claim a reward.
Plot Summary:
A bitter bounty hunter, trying to regain his lost ranch,
partners with a dishonorably discharged soldier and an old
prospector to capture a cunning murderer in the Rocky Mountains.
The killer, accompanied by a woman, sows mistrust among his
captors by exploiting their greed and weaknesses during the
tense journey back to justice. As they navigate treacherous
terrain, the psychological game and internal conflicts threaten
to destroy all of them.
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Dad's Preview:
Stewart's third collaboration with director Anthony Mann
centers on a lone Western man, Howard Kemp, who is dead
set on collecting a sizeable bounty bringing in Ben
Vandergroat, a murderer. He reluctantly enlists help,
yet really doesn't want to split the reward. Too much
time riding the lawless high country has made our
protagonist bitter and greedy. Stewart's acting forte
was his uncanny ability to appear both strong and
vulnerable at the same time. It's hard not to root for
him. Robert Ryan helps the film as Ben, a smiling,
cocksure thug who is just smart enough to keep Kemp off
balance. Janet Leigh also gives a great performance as
Ben's female acquaintance. She's quite a wildcat. This
film is lean and mean, all set in beautiful mountain
splendor. |
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William H. Wright;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
