MAN OF THE WEST

This 1958 Western is directed by Anthony Mann, who made several superior Westerns in the 1950s, usually starring James Stewart.  

But by the time this film was being cast Mann had Stewart had fallen out and so the leading role was offered to Gary Cooper.  This was despite the fact that the part was clearly written for someone 20 years younger (Stewart of course would also have been far too old).

Cooper's character Link is the nephew of Lee J Cobb's character Dock, but given that Cobb is some 10 years younger than Cooper this key aspect of the story never makes much sense.

So although the film has a lot going for it, in terms of performances, direction, cinematography, it is always hamstrung by the miscasting of Cooper, albeit that he is typically fine.

Anyhow, the early scenes of this film give absolutely no indication of where we are heading. Link is taking the train to Fort Worth with the savings of his community so that he can hire a school teacher, although we are given some clues that Link's past may not be as virtuous as his present.

On board the train he attracts the attention of Sam, a con man, and Billie, a saloon singer.  The latter is played by Julie London, who is better known for her singing career but who gives a very good account of herself in this film.

Things turn dramatic when robbers try to rob the train, and when the dust is settled the train has gone without Link, Sam and Billie, who now have to walk to the nearest settlement.  Link also has lost his bag containing the savings.

They end up at a ramshackle farm containing the gang who tried to rob the train, led by Dock.  Turns out Link used to be part of Dock's gang so I was left confused as to whether this is one almighty coincidence or whether Link has deliberately led Sam and Billie into danger. 

We then get a very tense scene, by the standards of this era, where the gang try to make Billie undress (as a preliminary to something far worse no doubt).  It makes for very uncomfortable viewing, but fortunately Link (who pretends that Billie is 'his woman') is able to put a stop to proceedings before it gets too far out of hand.

Link has been obliged to pretend he will help the gang rob the bank in the town of Lassoo.

Before that though there is a prolonged and at times quite weird fight between Link and another gang member, which ends up with the latter humiliated.  When he tries to shoot Link dead, Sam dies heroically, throwing himself in front of Link.  The gang member is then killed.

When we get to Lassoo it turns out to be a ghost town, and thus it serves as a surreal backdrop for a shootout between Link and two other members of the gang.

Finally there is the inevitable confrontation between Link and Dock, with the equally inevitable outcome.

Whilst Link was in Lassoo, Dock has raped and beaten Billie.  During the course of the film Billie has come to love Link, who behaves toward her in a far more gentlemanly manner than she is used to.  So it's a shame that the film ends on a bit of a downer with them having to part, given that Link says he has a wife and children back home.

Wikipedia describes this film as a Western film noir.  I'm not entirely sure what that is but it's undoubtedly true that this film is not your standard Western fare in terms of its atmosphere and psychological elements, and as such makes for an interesting watch.