Yes this was the first time I saw it. From 1952...
So I go into this movie wondering if its possible I can enjoy it. Ive been weaned on Outlaw Josie Wales, Unforgiven, Deadwood, and other cutting edge fare. Could I enjoy an old B&W western where they dont cuss, theres no blood, theres no dirty people, where everything looks like a movie studio, where its everything modern westerns went away from?
Well, Gary Cooper was a great actor for his time. Watching him alongside most everyone else made him look like the only actor, but it was the times. People always read their lines loudly and waited for the other person to finish. Gary Cooper was more organic and you dont notice it as much with his presence. Sorry Lloyd Bridges & Grace Kelly, but Grace was a thespian supreme compared to Katy Jurado. It was neat seeing a young Lee Van Cleef though I dont think he had any lines.
Cooper wasnt some rugged action star, and so the movie can draw you into his desperation. The background music sung by Tex Ritter wasnt as impactful on me like Im sure it was on viewers 60 years ago, so it was all on Cooper.
Theres not much to the story, or even to talk about. I do think they should remake this, and I do believe the audience could handle a slow paced - deliver at the end type western, Unforgiven pretty much was like that. I kept thinking Tom Hanks would be great in Coopers part. If a great Director got ahold of it (not named Tarantino), and with the right casting, then some studio could make a mint on this simple western.
I wont rate this movie because it wouldnt be fair to, its a classic. I do hope they remake this though.