The Naked Spur (1953)
Genre: Western
Duration: 91 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Anthony Mann
Stars: James Stewart, Janet Leigh and Robert Ryan
IMDb score:
7,3 (14.230)
Releasedate: 30 January 1953
The Naked Spur plot
"Packed with Technicolor Thrills!"
Embittered bounty hunter Howard Kemp travels to the Rockies in Abilene, Kansas, to find the murderer Ben Vandergroat. A reward of $5,000 has been offered for Vandergroat. With this money Kemp hopes to buy back his ranch, which his fiancée sold when he had to serve in the army. Along the way, Kemp joins the dishonorably discharged Captain Roy Anderson and old prospector Jesse Tate. When Vandergroat is found with his girlfriend Lina Patch, Anderson and Tate learn about the promised reward and tensions have arisen within the group ever since. On the return journey, Vandergroat tries to play Kemp, Tate and Anderson off against each other.
Actors and actresses
Howard Kemp
Lina Patch
Ben Vandergroat
Roy Anderson
Jesse Tate
Reviews & comments
Spetie
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- 38871 messages
- 8633 votes
This is the fourth Anthony Mann Western I've seen, and one I've thoroughly enjoyed. A great combination, apparently, and one that seems to suit me perfectly.
The most striking thing about his westerns is the considerable depth of the characters. They're usually fast-paced, and the story always manages to resonate with me. The Naked Spur is no different. Incidentally, this is also the fourth time James Stewart has starred. He's an actor I enjoy watching and who always holds his own in these kinds of films. Yet, it's not Stewart, but Robert Ryan who makes the biggest impression. The way he pits the cast against each other is captivating to watch, and he's convincing at every turn.
The rest of the cast also does a good job. Janet Leigh is somewhat overshadowed by the men, but her character plays a significant role in the story. Furthermore, the dialogue is top-notch, and it's all quite exciting. Mann regularly captures the surroundings beautifully, and the action is also quite good. A fight with Native Americans, is always entertaining to watch, and such scenes are always well-shot.
Yes, once again a Mann, who I really liked and also a director, from whom I want to see more soon.
4.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2365 messages
- 2119 votes
A remarkably simple storyline serves as a framework for a study of psychology and morality. It's difficult to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys. There's no such thing as black and white, only shades of gray, despite the fact that it's a magnificent techno-color production. James Stewart plays the lead role, and for me, he's the one who brings the greatest emotional depth to his role. An example of this is the duel between Stewart and Ryan in the cave, where the viewer gains a glimpse into the moral abyss Stewart is grappling with. Each character also has their own inner demons, with Janet Leigh actually coming out on top.
Besides the gripping character study, the film also features beautiful nature shots and a few moments of action. The massacre of the Blackfoot is, in my opinion, a rather painful and avoidable affair, but it briefly broke the film's steady pace. The shootout in the finaleis a great ending and what you expect from a Western anyway. The action here is accompanied by the sound of the raging river instead of the orchestral soundtrack, which only adds to the atmosphere. After the shootout, Janet Leigh manages to rescue Stewart from his inner dead end. Effective therapy. And a fantastic film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 10325 messages
- 4836 votes
Was on Arte this week. Adventure Western about a bounty hunter, an old prospector, and a dishonorably discharged soldier who bring a murderer, Ben, back to Abilene to collect a hefty bounty. The murderer uses greed as a trump card to pit them against each other. The female element is Janet Leigh (mother of Jamie Lee Curtis and legendary for her shower scene in Psycho) as Lina Patch, who has a dependent bond with Ben and plays a crucial role in the denouement. And so, Naked Spur is a psychological game between five characters. Stewart was a staple of the big screen in the 1950s; he collaborated with Anthony Mann several times. The film also features beautiful Rocky scenery, such as rock formations, wild rivers, and waterfalls. Another fairly atypical Western that cares more about the characters. I would have preferred a different ending.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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