Buchanan Rides Alone

These are so good I'm not sure what I'll do if I watch em all.

A fairly typical 1950’s western-a loner rides into town, faces extreme hostility in the face of innate corruption but everything is resolved and the loner saves the day. Watching it 70 years later, it is tempting to think it’s making a comment on society at that time but I’m not sure all those involved were that self aware. It was an enjoyable enough watch, with a neat running time and the script laced with humour.

Maybe the strangest of these Scott/Boetticher collaborations. There's an odd comic tone to Scott's performance, as well as a few of the others, that cuts sharply against the overall direction and tone of the story. It reads to me as simple and clunky attempt at trying to lighten the heaviness of the story. I suppose it could be doing something else, but if so, it's beyond me.

Viewed May 4, 2021.

This one distinguishes itself from the rest (of the Ranown westerns) by being more comedic, especially with Scott's devil may care-attitude, and in the fact that Scott's character basically is a bystander and not the protagonist in the movie plot

Supposedly a quasi-parody, it nonethless leaves less of an impression than the other Boetticher-Scott westerns because it aims too low. Perhaps it's more enjoyable for those who are extremely familiar with their work, but it isn't a good place to start. This rating is tentative. Could be a grower.

Star Rating: ★★★1/2

I enjoyed the wry humor,good performances by the cast and the ending.However the middle section drags quite a bit and ultimately knocks this down a bit.

Another fine Budd Boetticher Western that wastes no time getting started and gets you in its grip until the last body drops. A reasonably large number of characters are able to stake out their positions and play pivitol roles --I always marvel at the efficiency of these screenplays.

Amusing, but not Boetticher and Scott's best.