Shane (1953)

Paramount
Directed by George Stevens
My rating: 4 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Paramount)

Stunning location photography anchors this classic western, one of the best in the genre. Alan Ladd is the gunslinger who hangs up his six shooter for a job on the homestead of Van Heflin, Jean Arthur and their boy Joey. The homesteaders are being harassed by a local gang who hang out at the saloon in town, intent on driving them away by intimidation and threats. When that doesn't work they hire gunslinger Wilson (Jack Palance), who wears black, has two guns in his holster and is a fast draw. The tension builds until the inevitable showdown between Shane and Wilson. There are numerous classic scenes, including one of the best bar fights ever put on film and of course the final shootout.