Review of Shane (1953) by Jeffrey M — 08 May 2007

While I'm not quite in the camp that considers it to be on the short list for the best westerns ever made (Rio Bravo and Once Upon A Time In the West top my list), it is certainly a great one. The technical aspects of the film are top notch, beautifully shot and well acted. It features a surprisingly nuanced script, one that seems like a simple morality play but has deeper, psychological themes beneath it. It's smarter than the great majority of westerns of its time, but still has a predictable and familiar climax and ending. Defintely belongs in the discussion for the best westerns of the 50s, especially early 50s, but probably comes just a notch under High Noon.

4/5 Stars.