Shane (NR, 1953)

Shortly after the Civil War, a traveler named Shane (Alan Ladd) lingers with a family of Wyoming homesteaders, the Starretts, who are in the thick of a land feud between settlers and cattle ranch boss Ryker (Emile Meyer) and his posse. Shane is never fully accepted by the suspicious settlers. Still, he stays with the Starretts, partially because of friendship with their little boy Joey (Brandon de Wilde) who idolizes him. There's also a developing love triangle with gun-loathing Mrs. Starrett (Jean Arthur) and a rivalry with her husband Joe Starrett (Van Helfin). Shane is obviously a veteran gunfighter and, to the farmers, no better than the thugs on Ryker's payroll, even as he (reluctantly) straps on his six-guns to defend against the villains. You'd think the settlers would be grateful, but (except for Joey) they aren't. Ryker eventually tries to negotiate a peace with Starrett, and the range boss has got a surprisingly strong argument that suddenly makes the farmers seem slightly less like poor victims and more stubborn and selfish.

A classic Western, Shane is based on a novel that's widely assigned in schools. This is a morally complex Western (not just white hats and black hats) that can play well for both the action fans and families seeking serious drama. Even though Westerns in general are nowhere near as popular and plentiful as they were in times past, this one is a must-see.

Shane functions on multiple levels for young viewers and parents, addressing questions of youthful idol-worship, adult redemption, the uses of violence, forbidden attraction, and people forced to live out unpopular roles against their wills.

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: George Stevens
Cast: Alan Ladd, Brandon de Wilde, Emile Meyer, Jack Palance, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin
Genre: Western
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: April 23, 1953
DVD release: August 15, 2000
MPAA Rating: NR