Review of Sierra (1950) by John R — 01 Jul 2016

160702: I cannot say if it was intentional, but there is an underlying stress to Sierra. The stress is created by the seemingly dual nature of the film, often child-like in the action of its characters while at the same time attempting to be a serious, action-packed drama.

Ring Hassard (Audie Murphy) and Riley Martin (Wanda Hendrix) are annoyingly naïve and stubborn while at the same time fighting a life and death struggle against an equally naïve and stubborn community.

The atmosphere of the film is lightened by the first appearance of Lonesome (Burl Ives) who you hear before see. Ives light-hearted musical numbers throw a further curve to the awkward nature of the film.

You're never quite sure who the bad guys are but there are seemingly many of them. From Jeff Hassard (Dean Jagger) and the initially dark Coulter family featuring Tony Curtis, John Doucette and a younger James Arness (they grow on you); to Big Matt Rango (Richard Rober) and Duke Lafferty (Elliot Reid); Sierra kept my mind wondering.

On a lighter note, if you appreciate horses as I do, Sierra puts plenty on display, the horses being central to the overall story. And, I must say, this film provided a first for me. I have never, ever, in fifty years of westerns, seen a firearm used to help cure a rattlesnake bite! A knife, a western staple; but a single action revolver, never.

Classic. With all that, Sierra is a unique viewing experience, an experience I'm betting non-western fans may find a bit painful.