mamalv Review of A Man Alone

A Man Alone (1955)

Great western about violence and greed. As a man accused Ray Milland is great.

[9/10 · 12 May 2005]

A Man Alone starred Ray Milland as a gunfighter who seeks refuge in the cellar of the Sheriff's house. He has come across a stage robbery, while stranded in the desert. He takes one of the horses, goes to town to report the incident, but becomes the accused instead. He runs, hides in the bank, and overhears the gang talking over the robbery. The banker is shot in the back, and again Wes (Milland) is the fall guy. He stumbles into the sheriffs cellar in a sand storm, and the next morning, trying to leave is confronted by the sheriffs daughter, Nadine. He can't leave and they become unwilling companions. The sheriff (Ward Bond) is sick with Yellow Fever. She is exhausted, and he finds her asleep, puts her to bed, and in the morning their whole relationship changes. The sheriff is awake and he must go. She wants him to stay, they embrace and from then on the situation changes. He confronts Raymond Burr, the real killer, they fight and he is wounded. He stumbles back to the house where is passes out. Nadine is in love with him, and gets the doctor to help him. The sheriff finds him there and is livid, saying that he has compromised their home. Days pass and in the mean time the sheriff must decide to let him go. The town, thinking that Wes is the murderer go after the sheriff, but Wes returns to save the day. This is a great western with stellar performances under the direction of Ray Milland. Sort of ahead of its time in the method venue. The color photography is a plus.