“Shane” is a western film which tells the story of a retired gunfighter who moves to a Wyoming town, taking on a job as a farmhand, hoping to leave his former life behind. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of a conflict between homestead farmers and cattlemen over the land. The high drama proceeds from there, well directed by George Stevens (“Woman of the Year” 1942), from a fine screenplay by A. B. Guthrie Jr. It was adapted from a 1949 western novel of the same name by Jack Schaefer.
The talented cast turned out some memorable performances, including Alan Ladd in the title role, Van Heflin and Jean Arthur as the homesteaders, Brandon deWilde as their son, Emile Meyer as the cattle baron heavy of the piece, Jack Palance as the head of his goons, as well as Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan, Ellen Corby, Nancy Kulp, Elisha Cook Jr., John Dierkes, Edith Evanson, Janice Carroll, and Leonard Strong. This was Jean Arthur’s final film role; her first big screen appearance was in “Cameo Kirby,” a 1923 silent picture directed by John Ford for Fox Film Corporation.
The unforgettable Technicolor movie “Shane” was a big hit in theatrical release for producer George Stevens and Paramount Pictures. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Cinematography (Loyal Griggs). No doubt the filming in the stunning beauty of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park helped. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (deWilde and Palance), and Best Screenplay. This was the first western to show graphic violence in gunshot sequences, with Stevens rigging the actors with wires that pulled them back forcefully when shot. According to film historians, when Jack Palance shot Elisha Cook Jr. in “Shane,” things began to change.
Shane (1953)
cinema
My Review
“Shane” is a western film which tells the story of a retired gunfighter who moves to a Wyoming town, taking on a job as a farmhand, hoping to leave his former life behind. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of a conflict between homestead farmers and cattlemen over the land. The high drama proceeds from there, well directed by George Stevens (“Woman of the Year” 1942), from a fine screenplay by A. B. Guthrie Jr. It was adapted from a 1949 western novel of the same name by Jack Schaefer.
The talented cast turned out some memorable performances, including Alan Ladd in the title role, Van Heflin and Jean Arthur as the homesteaders, Brandon deWilde as their son, Emile Meyer as the cattle baron heavy of the piece, Jack Palance as the head of his goons, as well as Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan, Ellen Corby, Nancy Kulp, Elisha Cook Jr., John Dierkes, Edith Evanson, Janice Carroll, and Leonard Strong. This was Jean Arthur’s final film role; her first big screen appearance was in “Cameo Kirby,” a 1923 silent picture directed by John Ford for Fox Film Corporation.
The unforgettable Technicolor movie “Shane” was a big hit in theatrical release for producer George Stevens and Paramount Pictures. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Cinematography (Loyal Griggs). No doubt the filming in the stunning beauty of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park helped. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (deWilde and Palance), and Best Screenplay. This was the first western to show graphic violence in gunshot sequences, with Stevens rigging the actors with wires that pulled them back forcefully when shot. According to film historians, when Jack Palance shot Elisha Cook Jr. in “Shane,” things began to change.