NR | 1h 31m | Drama, Thriller, Western | 1953
The pairing of director Anthony Mann and actor James Stewart produced an exemplary slate of movies during the Golden Age of Hollywood, perhaps second only to the collaborations between director John Ford and actor John Wayne.
Their western collaboration began with the vengeance-driven “Winchester ‘73” (1950), which established Stewart as a star in the western genre. However, many critics consider their third outing, “The Naked Spur” (1953), to be their most impressive.
Like “Winchester ‘73,” “The Naked Spur” deals with themes of trust, betrayal, and the quest for justice. The film’s stark, rugged landscapes—jagged cliffs and tumbling boulders—mirror the characters’ inner turmoil and the harsh realities they confront.
A Man Done Wrong
Stewart steps into the well-worn boots of character Howard Kemp, an embittered man who returned home from the Civil War to discover that his wife betrayed him by selling his ranch. To add insult to injury, she used the money from the sale to run off with another man.
In order to buy back his old ranch, Kemp has been tracking an outlaw named Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) from Abilene, Kansas to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Kemp assumed the role of a bounty hunter to bring Vandergroat to authorities dead or alive.
Along the way, Kemp encounters Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell), a seasoned gold prospector who agrees to help in exchange for $20. They soon join forces with Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker), a disgraced Army officer with his own reasons.
Although the trio of men manage to capture Vandergroat and his young companion Lina Patch (Janet Leigh), the outlaw reveals a crucial secret: Kemp has been concealing the true reward for Vandergroat’s capture—an impressive $5,000.
Wide Open Range
Despite the expansive environmental backdrop, the film’s focus is constrained, which lets viewers examine the shifting dynamics between the five main characters more closely. As the battle of wits and deteriorating trust begin to take their toll on these people, the landscape becomes increasingly menacing and, eventually, deadly.Stewart’s character initially seems obsessive bordering on madness. However, as we learn more about Kemp, we see that he is basically a good man who has been thrust into some extraordinarily bad circumstances.
Leigh does a convincing job of portraying a young woman who appeals to Kemp’s humanity, gradually chipping away at his conscience. Her character, also forced into desperate measures, clings to a simple dream of moving to California and waits for the right opportunity to make it happen.
Boundless Versatility
After watching many of his films, it’s clear that Stewart, like other leading men of his era—John Wayne, Ray Milland, and Gregory Peck—possessed a distinctive style that set him apart and remained uniquely his own. This uniqueness preserved his standout presence in Hollywood.However, Stewart’s film collaborations with director Mann revealed new facets of his acting range, exposing a previously unseen vulnerability and volatility. Mann’s direction brought to light hidden layers beneath Stewart’s familiar good-guy persona, demonstrating that Stewart was more than just a reliable hero.
This reinvention is key to Stewart’s enduring appeal. Films like “The Naked Spur” showcase his ability to shift into complex, often conflicted characters, illustrating that his talents extended far beyond his established image. This depth and versatility are what makes Stewart’s performances, particularly in his work with Mann, stand out as prime examples of his unique acting prowess.
