The Ranown Westerns of Boetticher and Scott are an example of efficient well acted story telling. Compared to some of the big budget westerns of the old Hollywood era and I include Cheyenne Autumn, Cimmaron, and that blasphemy Duel in the Sun as examples, story was sacrificed for spectacle and characters were types. In the Scott Westerns the story,the reality of the characters actions in that stark landscape and how they survived or didn't made for entertaining yet intelligent film watching. Ben Brigade is out for revenge and his bait is the younger brother of his enemy who out for revenge of his own,hanged Brigade's wife some time prior to the events of this drama. Unlike the villains in the Tall T and Commanche Station, Frank isn't the dark half of the hero-they would never ever share a campfire together,but they do have a since of family loyalty which would require them to risk all hazards. Another family group Boone and Whit played by a young Pernell Roberts and James Coburn enter as potential rivals for both hero and villain,they want James Bests' Billy as a ticket to amnesty and Boone's dream of owning a ranch. Then the SEX is added as Karen Steele the recently widowed wife of a stationmaster draws Apaches and increases the hormone overload of the four men,Brigades' memories of his wife and the others lust incarnate though Boone sees beyond that. somewhat. There's a clash with the Mescalero Apaches and the ultimate climax with Frank and his band of renegades who are only held together by his topdog charisma and nothing else. There is none of Ford's heavyhanded male humor,nor none of Mann's psych drama. Brigade is a self contained economic in his words,efficient in killing hero,no blustery backslapper. And Mr. Scott was secure enough in his stardom that he gave good lines and depth to the younger actors in the film. Class A Western
Review of Ride Lonesome
