The Tall T (1957)
Another competent Boetticher/Scott western that shows that it is possible to get a lot out of small means. Simple narrative, small cast, almost exclusively shot outside, and with pretty straightforward kidnapping for ransom story, still shows complexity and depth within the characters. Scott plays his usual role as a lone ranger with high morals, but he isn’t trying to be tough hero. He even admits to being afraid, but of course ends up being the hero in the end. While there is no real grey area when it comes to the villains - their ruthless brutality is underlined when we learned who they have killed and how, but the gang leader is an interesting multifaceted character none the less. There are tiny hints that he may not actual like where he has ended up, but he has accepted it. Boetticher may not give sprawling vistas or epic stories, and there is a recognizable formula to his narratives, but it is simply damn made from start to finish.
Rating: 3.5