Sunday, March 09, 2008
EPIC
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was George Steven's
Alan Ladd, Van Heflin, Jean Arthur and Brandon De Wilde.
There are a host of classic supporting actors like Edgar Buchanan, Ben Johnson, Jack Palance and Elisha Cook, Jr.
And behind them all, the Grand Tetons which I have seen and, unlike many location films, they are always out there and you can see them as well as marvel at their beauty.
This is a classic story of sod-busters versus cattle men. What makes it different is character and the kid right in the middle of it.
The whole thing is beautifully rendered.
I also think that this is the beginning of the breakdown in romancing the western.
These people are roughing it. The town is barely there. Shane is just about worn out as a gunslinger. His profession is no longer needed.
It is a rich stew.
I have never seen this film before.
I am glad that I caught it. Better late than never.
Everyone is good. There are some light tears. I never looked at my watch.
I think that, in its time, it was groundbreaking. Sod busting?
De Wilde is the center of this film. Alan Ladd was a pretty boy actor of the old star mode and does well here but he is way more handsome than makes sense and we are always aware of their compensating for his being shorter than any one else in the film except De Wilde.
He steps up to the bar and has an extra step. Other people step down to talk to him. Perhaps it is not distracting if you don't know about it but, still, it would have been better with another less pretty star.
Incidentally, in retirement, Ladd opened a swanky hardware store in Palm Springs and his name still graces the four story building it was housed in.
But I digress. Back to the film.
You know that it is good if this inside story shit didn't detract from its power.
I will give it a 5 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
