 |
|
|
|
Shane (1953)
 email this review to a friend
Movie Review by Dekker
October 29th, 2008
|  |
THE BEST IN THE WEST
In my opinion, I would confidently venture to say that SHANE is probably one of the best (of the absolute best) Movie-Westerns ever made. It's definitely a film that ranks right up there with other such spectacular Western Classics as THE SEARCHERS and HIGH NOON.
'The Myth of the American (movie) Cowboy' has always been a fascinating subject for me to ponder over. Since I was just a wee-tyke this ever-popular movie-phenomenon in American Culture has intrigued me to no end. I just can't seem to get my fill of American Cowboy Movies!.....Hey! Does this mean that I'm a Cowboy Junkie!?
I'm a real super-enthusiastic fan of Movie/TV Westerns, especially the high-caliber ones that were produced in the 40's and 50's. Believe me, I have seen plenty of 'em. For me, Westerns generate their own special kind of rough and rugged, no-nonsense masculintiy. This doesn't come from any other genre of film like it does with Westerns. But, it's only when viewing an exceptional Western such as SHANE that I actually feel as if I've made a really worthwhile film-discovery. EUREKA!!...It's almost like striking a vein of pure gold. Yeah. Be-Hold! Movie-Gold!!
SHANE is, without question, a cut far above the rest.
Released in 1953, SHANE proved to be one of the most successful Westerns of that particular era. This was at a time when all of the major movie studios in the industry were producing high-quality Westerns, too. So, the competition was plenty tough, as you can well imagine. Keeping the movie-audience entertained was, and never will be, an easy task to accomplish.
SHANE was directed by GEORGE STEVENS, whose other notable directing achievements include A PLACE IN THE SUN and GIANT. SHANE won an Oscar for its technicolor camerawork. The impressive, panoramic visuals, depicting the vast and desolate nature of the Wild West in this flick, are nothing short of astounding.
SHANE's story is set in the Nevada Badlands, at the time when settlers were first arriving there to build their farms and homes. ALAN LADD plays Shane, an aging, disillusioned gun-slinger who has, pretty much, hung up his guns for good. He has now taken to a more peaceful life - that of a solitary drifter. But, as it is with all ex-gunslingers, Shane's slate is far from being 'clean'. He has gunned-down many a man, for whatever reasons, in his daring, younger days. ALAN LADD is exceptional as the mysterious loner/cowboy named Shane.
In this fleeting episode of Shane's life as the roaming and aimless traveller, we find our weary hero encountering some unexpected trouble along the long and lonely trail. Casually drifting into a small settlement-town one fine day, Shane almost immediately gets caught in between a bitter feud that's about reaching the boiling point between the powerful cattle-ranchers and the defenseless, independent homesteaders. Though reluctant to get involved in such a nasty ordeal as this, at first, Shane eventually sides with the struggling homesteaders. These simple and very poor folks are desperately trying to protect their lives and their property from a villainous hired-gun who was brought in by the ranchers to intimidate them.
Shane must now stand his ground against this young, sharp-shooting villain. Does Shane still have what it takes to be the quickest on the draw? There are so many depending upon him.
SHANE's story goes far beyond the realm of a typical western tale. This is a deeply touching story of intense admiration for the legend, the loner, the man named Shane. It's a story about how a young boy of 8 becomes so incredibly impressed with Shane that his high regard for the man, literally, turns into hero-worship.
email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
Sorry, you must be a member to add comments to reviews.
Join or Login. |
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS
|
