Shane, 1953

When people say that every shot in Shane is composed like a painting, they aren't kidding. If Shane is nothing else, it is at least a beautifully shot film. Of course, with the Tetons as your backdrop, it's hard to make an ugly movie. Combine the sweeping vistas and jaw-dropping scenery with a classic "good versus evil" story, some decent acting, and a fantastic bar room brawl and you've got a pretty darn good movie. Shane is the story of a man looking to settle down. It appears as if he used to be a gunfighter of sorts, although the viewer never really knows any of the man's history. He finds a homesteader in need of a helping hand and settles in to work the land. Unfortunately, a rancher wants the homesteaders off the land he claims as his own. Shane, of course, chooses to stay and stand up against the rancher. The plot isn't terribly original, but when done right, a story doesn't have to be. Emile Meyer plays the evil rancher, and he embodies everything the viewer wants to hate. Shane, on the other hand, is mysterious but kind. You can't help but like the guy. Even though his blond hair screamed "surfer boy," Alan Ladd's generous face was what made him so believable in the part. The highlight for me was the incredible bar room brawl near the movie's half way point. Of course, giving details would ruin it for any potential viewers out there, but this scene makes the entire movie worth watching. If you're into Westerns, then Shane is easy to recommend. Even if you're not a fan, the classic story and moving acting is worth watching. This DVD was labeled a special edition, and if that's true I can't imagine how bad the original DVD must have been! The audio was presented in stereo, and it wasn't completely bad. The sound stage was narrow, but at least the track didn't have any hissing or popping. The video was marred with damage and dirt, and the detail levels seemed to vary from scene to scene.

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