Review of The Naked Spur (1953) by Xgary X — 22 Nov 2007

Another bracing western from the James Stewart/Anthony Mann stable sees Stewart as a rancher forging an uneasy alliance with an old prospector and an AWOL cavalry officer to bring outlaw Robert Ryan in dead or alive for the reward money.

Stewart is one of the best when it comes to playing tough guys with a streak of vulnerability, and there's some great psychology at work; Stewart's crisis of conscience accentuated by Janet Leigh's divided loyalties and all the while, Ryan is constantly using mindgames to set the trio against each other.

I could have lived without the schmaltzy soundtrack, but otherwise, quality stuff.