Surely one of the kinkiest westerns that Hollywood has ever presented. Morally bankrupt land baron Walter Huston will do anything to preserve his hold on "the Furies," his highly expansive property. He marries Judith Anderson for her money, alienating clingy daughter Barbara Stanwyck in the process. What ensues is a ruthlessly psychological game of chess between Huston & Stanwyck that does not end well for anyone. High voltage sparks abound between the two stars, heightening the already way over the top drama. Stanwyck burns up the screen with this type of role - hell-bent as all get out and not ashamed to let people know that she'll be stepping on them to get her way. In addition to Anderson, Stanwyck's victims include unsavory saloon owner Wendell Corey, ranch hand/lover Gilbert Roland and John Bromfield as her milquetoast brother. It's all directed at a fevered pitch by Anthony Mann. The overwrought but highly effective music by Franz Waxman is excellent. If Alfred Hitchcock and Sigmund Freud had teamed to come up with a story, it may very well have turned out like this.
Review of The Furies
The Furies
(1950)
A kinky western with Barbara Stanwyck, Walter Huston & a lot of psychological baggage
28 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers