Rio Grande (1950)

 

A cavalry officer posted on the Rio Grande is confronted with murderous raiding Apaches, a son who's a risk-taking recruit and his wife from whom he has been separated for many years.

Classic John Ford western Features in best manner many its director's hallmark features: a meandering plot, rollicking scenes alternating with solemn songs and lively action and all in beautiful blacl-and-white cinematography.

Halliwell*: "Thin Ford Western on his favourite theme, with too many pauses for song, too many studio sets, and too little plot. Aficiandos, however, will find much to admire."

Maltin***: "The last of  director Ford's Cavalry trilogy..., and the most underrated: a vivid look at the gentlemanly spirit of the Cavalry during post-Civil Ward days...Beautifully shot by Bert Glennon and Archie Stout..." 

Run, Cougar, Run (1972)

 

In Utah, the idyllic existence of a mountain lion family is threatened when tourists, bent on sport-hunting cougars, make their appearance.

From memory: Standard Disney family entertainment with an agreeable, but otherwise harmless environmental stance.

 

 

Pursued (1947)

 

A boy haunted by nightmares about the night his entire family was murdered is brought up by a neighboring family in the 1880s. He falls for his lovely adoptive sister but his nasty adoptive brother and mysterious uncle want him dead. 

Dark noir Western reaps ups the passions in a mysterious, violent family feud with a doomed Robert Mitchum caught in its midst; compelling with beautiful black-and-white cinematography.

Halliwell*: "Glum, good-looking revenge Western."

Maltin***: "Grim, passionate Western noir, a family saga of love, hate, revenge, and a hint of incest...Stunning photography..." 

Moonrise (1948)

 

Danny is despised by his schoolmates because his father was accused of killing another man and sentenced to death. 

Superior Noir melodrama is beautifully made and photographed and takes its dark, seemingly hopeless tale to a tense finale.

Halliwell*: "Broody melodrama set against a remote village and swamp background; not a very interesting story, but memorable detail."

Maltin**1/2: "Uneven script...But it's beautifully directed; check out stunning opening shot, and opening sequence." 

The Sunchaser (1996)

 

A rich oncologist and a dying young criminal who kidnaps the doctor are going to a legendary Navajo healing place while a manhunt closes in. 

The plot is overladen and quite silly, but but Cimono gives it style and a heartfelt execution with good landscape photography and a believable performance by Harrelson. 

Halliwell (no star): "Heavily symbolic road movie, travelling through photogenic landscapes but imbued with a second-hand mysticism."

Maltin*1/2: "Misbegotten mess tries to touch all trendy bases, scrambling American Indian mysticism, "New Age" theories and buddy-movie cliches into the format of a road movie. Harrelson and Seda are good, Bancroft is wasted." 

Two Rode Together (1961)

A corrupt marshal is pressured by his army friend into negotiating the release of white captives of the Comanches, but finds that their reintegration into society has its consequences.

Dark and quite misogynist Western clumsily tackles the issue of racism; Stewart and Widmark are worth the watch, though.

Halliwell (no star): "Substandard Ford, moderately good-looking but uninteresting of plot and dreary of development."

Maltin**1/2: "Fair Western..."

The Rare Breed (1966)

An English woman and her daughter enlist the aid of a cowboy to try and get their hardy hornless bull to mate with the longhorns of Texas, but have to overcome greedy criminals and the natural elements.

Broad, solidly made Western with an unusual topic is a partly amusing drama, but not really exciting; the star cast does a good job, though.

Halliwell (no star): "Amusing Western idea which misses fire by not coming down firmly as either drama or comedy; it does however pass the time amiably enough."

Maltin***: "Odd part-comedy Western on the unusual subject of improving cattle breeds. Hampered only by too much obvious studio shooting."

Rio Bravo (1959)

A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a cripple, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.