The Violent Men

What if Victoria Barkley & her big ranch werent so noble?

An ex-cavalry officer (Glenn Ford) wants to sell his Southeastern ranch and move back East with his fiancé (May Wynn), but the glaring crimes of the men of a local cattle baron (Edward G. Robinson) tempts him to make a courageous stand even though hes weary of war. Barbara Stanwyck plays the barons wife, Brian Keith his brother and Dianne Foster his feisty daughter. Richard Jaeckel is on hand as an arrogant heavy.

Released in early 1955, "The Violent Men" is a Western based on Donald Hamiltons book Smoky Valley. There are similarities to Jubal, which came out the next year and is arguably superior, but this one aint no slouch and is inexplicably obscure.

My title blurb...

As ever, Barbara Stanwyck provides a strong and robust characterisation as "Martha" in this rather superior western. The story itself is a bit well travelled - a wealthy cattle baron trying to squeeze out the middle man, but together with decent effort from the not always the most imposing Glenn Ford ("Parrish"), we are presented here with a solid story of greed and determination that offers us a sense of defiance and pioneering spirit. She is married to, and to a certain extent in love with, the crippled "Lew" (Edward G. Robinson) but having a long-term fling with his brother "Cole" (Brian Keith). Ford is the civil war veteran and small time rancher who is determined not to be ground down as his stock is stampeded and it becomes distinctly...