Tuesday 15 June 2010

A Single Image #6




The Naked Spur (1953 - Anthony Mann)

3 comments:

Ed Howard said...

Great stuff. That's such a fantastic movie, like all of the Mann/Stewart Westerns, because of how well it uses those Western vistas, not just in photogenic shots like this but in the way the openness of the sky and the unpopulated land is used as a contrast against the growing claustrophobia and tension of the plot. And Stewart is a force of nature in these movies, and especially in this one; I've always loved his clenched, desperate breakdown at the end of this movie.

Bob Turnbull said...

I am woefully ignorant of Mann's work...Aside from a couple of Noirs, I haven't explored too much more - not for lack of interest, just a matter of getting around to it. The Furies and Winchester '73 are top of the list.

I was really impressed by how the scenes were composed around the natural surroundings - 5 people, unlimited landscapes.

Stewart's eyes were just crazed at times. As much as I like him here, I love Ryan - he has the best condescending smirky-smile ever. I kept expecting Stewart to just punch him in the face to wipe it off (though you know if would just have grown bigger and wider after he shook off the punch).

Thanks for the comment Ed...

Bob Turnbull said...

Just noticed that TCM is showing "The Naked Spur" plus a whole whack of other Mann films on June 30th (morning and aftenoon). I need to clear some PVR space...