Review of Yellow Sky (1948) by Bruce B — 23 Sep 2009

WOW! Why do people not mention this western more often?! THis is an AMAZING hidden gem of a film. Starring Gregory Peck who is amazing as the gruff bank robber who slowly comes around to the better side (in a very real and not cheap old Hollywood way). Anne Baxter really surprises as the tough-as-nails western woman who takes crap from NO ONE. In a genre that is never usually very good to us ladies it is amazing to watch a woman in a western that isn't a whore, who doesn't need rescuing (and actually gets to help the hero out of the jam) and carries a shot gun and has an itchy finger on the trigger. Baxter plays her role with such contempt and strength- I can't give her anymore praise for what is such a different role for this genre and time.

I can hardly believe this came out in '48. It feels more like the revisionist and darker westerns of the 70's but at the same time takes a few healthy shots of noir from the era.