"Shane" is one of those classic films that
is famous even among those who have never
seen it. This is partly because of the
film's reputation, but mostly due to the
much-parodied closing scene where the little
kid calls in vain after the gunman,
"Shane! Come back!" Like many famous
films, "Shane" is a very good film, but
not quite as strong as it is generally
considered to be.
The story takes place in remote Wyoming
during the 1870s. Joe Starrett (Van
Heflin) heads a heroic sodbuster family,
which includes wife Marion (Jean Arthur)
and energetic young son Joey (Brandon de Wilde).
Joe is also the leader of the troubled,
dwindling community of farmers, who are
being chased off their land by men employed
by ruthless rancher Ryker (Emile Meyer).
Shane (Alan Ladd) is a gunslinger trying
to go straight. Worshipped by Joey, he is
hired by Starrett as a laborer, and soon
joins his boss in his stand against Ryker.
Ryker responds by hiring grinning, jutjawed
gunman Wilson (Jack Palance). A showdown is
inevitable. In the meanwhile, romantic
tensions build between Shane and Starrett's
wife.
Like "High Noon", which was released the year
before, "Shane" builds the myth of the west
upon gunfights between men of greatly contrasting
character. Wilson is the personification of
sadistic menace, while Shane is noble, polite
and pacifistic except when it is necessary to
confront evil.
"Shane" was nominated for six Academy Awards,
including Best Picture, Best Director (George
Stevens), Best Screenplay (A.B. Guthrie Jr)
and Best Supporting Actor (both DeWilde and
Jack Palance). Its sole win was for Best
Color Cinematography (Loyal Griggs). (77/100)
George Stevens' classic Western adaptated from the Jack Schaefer novel stars Alan Ladd in the title role. Riding the ranges of Wyoming's Grand Tetons ...More at Family Video
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