Branded (1950)

A gunfighter (Alan Ladd) attempts to pass himself off as the long lost kidnapped son of a wealthy Texas rancher (Charles Bickford). But as he softens due to the kindness from the family, he begins to develop a conscience. Based on the novel MONTANA RIDES by Max Brand and directed by Rudolph Mate (THE 300 SPARTANS). A decent and interesting western that tries to be out of the ordinary by focusing on the human element rather than the usual western paraphernalia like gunfights, Indian attacks etc. Unfortunately, it isn't interesting enough to make it stand out of the pack of the plentiful but often generic westerns of the 1950s. The original 1933 novel received some praise so I assume the film version didn't do it justice. There's some nice lensing of the exterior Arizona locations by Charles Lang (BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE). With Mona Freeman, Tom Tully, Joseph Calleia, Robert Keith, Selena Royle and Peter Hansen.