Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
"Come back, Shane!" Classic Western for the ages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shane
What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
Even though Westerns in general are nowhere near as popular and plentiful as they were in times past, this classic is a must-see. 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.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters seem unable to escape their social roles. Though it's not spelled out in detail, Shane is a veteran gunfighter trying to put his violent past behind him, but he winds up pulled back into killing, even if he is supposedly defending innocent people. Even the villains seem to be offering a last-minute compromise solution, which is declined. Did the conflict have to turn out the way it did? What do you think would have happened if Shane stayed with the Starretts?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 23, 1953
- On DVD or streaming : August 15, 2000
- Cast : Alan Ladd , Brandon de Wilde , Emile Meyer , Jack Palance , Jean Arthur , Van Heflin
- Director : George Stevens
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Western
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate