Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by: Delmer Daves
Starring: Glenn Ford,
Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Valerie French, Felicia Farr
From: Columbia
Sometimes, a man's biggest offense is “smelling like sheep dip.”
I finally had the time/felt like watching a film last night, so I chose something that was on Turner Classic Movies. This month, each Monday night is spent showing a few Glenn Ford pictures and this was one of those. I heard good things-and it was released not that long ago by The Criterion Collection so this seemed worthy of a watch; so did seeing the likes of Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Charles Bronson, Jack Elam, and Felicia Farr.
This has been described as “a Western Othello” but this only takes a few plot points from that classic Shakespearean work. Borgnine is ranch owner Shep, who finds Ford's character Jubal near death out in the woods. He's taken in and works on the ranch. As he's not a 100% Grade A jerk like Steiger's character Pinky, Jubal is made foreman of the ranch. Not only is this a problem because Pinky is smart and a master manipulator, but Shep's wife is a bored lady who develops the hots for Jubal... and used to have Pinky “put his saddle” on her, so to speak.
The movie has plenty of melodrama but it was all interesting to me as Ford tried to be a good man despite all the pressure he has to deal with, such as avoiding the advances of his boss's wife. Of course, there is still plenty of the expected Western trappings, such as horseback riding, pistol shooting, cattle rustling and yes, a scene set in a saloon. It was nice seeing all those famous faces and they all do a nice job, although Steiger was a highlight as Pinky was irredeemable and an awful human being... and also possessed quite the colorful accent.
This was shot in Cinemascope so the beautiful scenery of Jackson Hole, Wyoming was spotlighted perfectly. I realize not everyone cares for how this was resolved; for me, it fit the overall story pretty well and there are plenty of Westerns out there if you want to see more action. This steamy drama worked for what it was.
I finally had the time/felt like watching a film last night, so I chose something that was on Turner Classic Movies. This month, each Monday night is spent showing a few Glenn Ford pictures and this was one of those. I heard good things-and it was released not that long ago by The Criterion Collection so this seemed worthy of a watch; so did seeing the likes of Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Charles Bronson, Jack Elam, and Felicia Farr.
This has been described as “a Western Othello” but this only takes a few plot points from that classic Shakespearean work. Borgnine is ranch owner Shep, who finds Ford's character Jubal near death out in the woods. He's taken in and works on the ranch. As he's not a 100% Grade A jerk like Steiger's character Pinky, Jubal is made foreman of the ranch. Not only is this a problem because Pinky is smart and a master manipulator, but Shep's wife is a bored lady who develops the hots for Jubal... and used to have Pinky “put his saddle” on her, so to speak.
The movie has plenty of melodrama but it was all interesting to me as Ford tried to be a good man despite all the pressure he has to deal with, such as avoiding the advances of his boss's wife. Of course, there is still plenty of the expected Western trappings, such as horseback riding, pistol shooting, cattle rustling and yes, a scene set in a saloon. It was nice seeing all those famous faces and they all do a nice job, although Steiger was a highlight as Pinky was irredeemable and an awful human being... and also possessed quite the colorful accent.
This was shot in Cinemascope so the beautiful scenery of Jackson Hole, Wyoming was spotlighted perfectly. I realize not everyone cares for how this was resolved; for me, it fit the overall story pretty well and there are plenty of Westerns out there if you want to see more action. This steamy drama worked for what it was.
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