Ride Lonesome (1959)

A bounty hunter (Randolph Scott) and his prisoner (James Best), two outlaws (Pernell Roberts, James Coburn) and a woman (Karen Steele) are traveling together through hostile Indian territory. But it isn't just the Indians that may prevent them from reaching their destination. The prisoner's brother (Lee Van Cleef) and his gang are after them to get the prisoner back. Written by Burt Kennedy and directed by Budd Boetticher. What I love about these Scott/Boetticher collaborations is how economical and tight they are. They're lean films without any unnecessary excess. No extraneous romances, comedy relief or pontificating. What you see is what you get. This may be my favorite of the Boetticher/Scott films. This is a flawless film. It slowly accumulates to a powerful conclusion and an unforgettable image. Boetticher's use of the CinemaScope format, aided impeccably by his cinematographer Charles Lawton Jr. (LADY FROM SHANGHAI), is superb. A great western and a must for all true film lovers!