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Budd Boetticher was such an interesting man,old-school American,creative,brash tough guy with a glint in his eye. And a great movie director,of course. Randolph Scott,in so many ways the heir to the William S Hart classic cowboy from the Silent movie era and a fine one in his own right. The best landscape God ever created for a Western outside of Monument Valley,the Alabama Hills of Lone Pine in California.(Both William S Harts old ranch house in north LA and Lone Pine are excellent stops for the Sagebrush Pilgrim out on the road...) Great writing by Burt Kennedy,fine acting by the likes of Pernell Roberts...I could go on but will add up and conclude: A terrific western,tight,adult with noir-like undertones makes this not only the best film in the Ranown cycle but one of the best westerns of the 50's(which I consider the Golden Age of the genre...)or indeed ever. And in just 73 minutes... "Ride Lonsome"...is pretty much perfect. T

Many have already commented on this little dark gem by Malle,so I'll be brief,like the film.(Less then 90 minutes) This is bleak,oh so bleak,just the way we Noir freaks like it. Important part of Noir History,a must see. The French have made a HUGE contribution to the genre,for which we should be truly grateful. Saw "Chair de Poule" the day after,both fine examples of the art but of course it's a very long list... I've seen "Ascenseur pour L'échafaud" compared to the Spanish"Muerte de un Ciclista,made by Bardem(Javier's dad...),a very good film too but LM does it better here. It's dark,desperate and delightful. Who could ask for more? T

Saw this,many,many years ago at the movies and it stayed on my mind. Having gone back to watch it again, more than once in the last couple of years,it seems even better than I remember. I have to confess to being a lifelong fan of Johnny Cash,although never convinced as to his acting skills.Still,he does convince here as Abe Cross and the whole story comes across well. True,not that much action but some Westerns don't need it. I do doubt,however,the information on IMDb that it was filmed in Spain. The Bullring is NOT the Madrid Bullring,as listed,I know that for a fact.Does anyone out there know where it was filmed? Best performance by JC on the screen?I think so. Kirk Douglas is great too and the questions raised about growing old,loneliness,love,money and how an "Outsider" faces up to it all,are explored well. A strange western but a minor masterpiece,a B movie(I love 'em!)in some ways but one that stays with you. A must see for all JC fans,of course. T