The Halliday Brand (1957)

The son (Joseph Cotten) of a corrupt sheriff (Ward Bond) becomes disillusioned with his father after he allows a lynch mob to hang an innocent man (Christopher Dark). Coincidentally, the man was his daughter's (Betsy Blair) lover and half Indian. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis (MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS), this is perhaps a western in name only. Rather than the usual gunfights, outlaws, Indian attacks, farmers vs. cattlemen etc. that are the usual scenario of the genre, the focus is on a dysfunctional family suffering under the thumb of a cruel and harsh patriarch whose hate knows no bounds. Personally, I think forgiveness is an overrated virtue. Some things are unforgivable and for awhile I was worried that the movie would go all Oprah ("Forget what has happened. Forgive others. Forgive yourself") on me. But the film stays unapologetically on its severe path. Worth checking out if it comes your way. With Viveca Lindfors, Bill Williams, Jay C. Flippen and Jeanette Nolan.