Shane (1953)

Unutterably beautiful

I saw this movie for the first time more than a year ago. I've forgotten the storyline, the incidents, the details. But the sheer EXPERIENCE of watching the movie lingers in my heart. There are westerns that are grander (John Ford), more stylish (Sergio Leone), more sophisticated (Anthony Mann); but to me Shane is the most beautiful, the most affecting, the most luminous. It is among the most beautiful movies ever made. The longer time passes without me re-watching it, the greater it looms in my consciousness. I guess that's the mark of a true work of art; it takes root in some part of your soul, and grows over time. I hope the studio releases a better DVD transfer than the one we have here, whose image quality is less than optimal. November 17, 2008

A Good Story

"Shane" is a Western with a good story behind it. It presents the tale of a gunslinger wanting to cast off his past and joins up with a family of peaceful settlers. Unfortunantly, a powerful local man wants to keep the range open instead of having settlers move in and make claims. He eventually send for a hired gun (Jack Palance in a famous villianous performance). Meanwhile, the young boy in the family begins to look up to Shane as a role model which is both good and bad. Eventually, the film moves towards the showdown in which Shane realizes he must confront the bad guys.
Unlike some westerns, "Shane" doesn't rely on being full of shootouts. In fact the body count is fairly low at four confirmed and one maybe. It instead utilizes the drama of the story. Shane's character is noteworthy too as he uses violence only when he fears it is necessary.
In one sense, the film has been noted to present an idealized Old West. However, it also was noted as being an early Western to utilize good sound effects with firearms and the scene in which Palance guns down a generally good character (who's temper got the best of him) conveys dark violence without much visible bloodshed.
Overall, a good film. November 9, 2008

My wife chuckled when I said this film nearly made me cry

I guess if it's okay for her to get choked up watching all that Jane Austen stuff, then it's okay for me to have to fight back a few tears while watching little Joey run after his hero.

SHANE is one of the best westerns ever made. It captures the essence of this American mythology and offers superb quality in a such a wide array which one rarely sees anymore. For instance, the acting was just right; never over-the-top, never one-dimensional and boring, and never emotionally manipulative. The camera shots were top notch and could easily compete with any western/epic of the last twenty years. The action was fast-paced and intense, and yet this film is not ruled by the action sequences. The characters carry this film, not the action. The characters are likeable and very believable.

But perhaps my favorite thing about SHANE is the presence of the hero who on the surface appears too nice and too meek (the nice tough guy, if you will). But at the right time, he is a force to be reckoned with. Another of my favorite examples of this would have to be James Stewart in DESTRY RIDES AGAIN.

SHANE is one of the few films I've watched recently (for the first time in a long time) which left me wondering, "Why in the world have I not bought this yet?" October 8, 2008

VERY PLEASED

I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE PRODUCT AND THE TIMELY MANNER IN WHICH MY ORDER WAS PROCESSED. August 16, 2008

SHANE, a classic western

Shane was indeed a classic western film. The photography was excellent. I especially liked the fact that the women were not dressed up in clean clothes with modern make-up, making them look like an anachronism, as is done in many westerns. THe constuming was more realistic. Alan Ladd did a great job, and the boy was great also. August 8, 2008

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