An American Western; A story about a town marshal-turned-bounty hunter who teaches a young, greenhorn Sheriff how to protect himself in a town where both men are under threat. The film is directed with impressive classical elegance, the story is superior to many other horse operas of the 1950s and the performances are fine. Henry Fonda is appealing as the disillusioned but commanding gunman and Anthony Perkins in winsome as the hero-worshiping boy peace officer. Neither are entirely convincing in their parts but this mainly down to the script's broad moralistic tone. The plot is traditionally a build up and showdown, but it's the production quality of the film, a good story and narrative, crisp photography and camerawork and the use of Vistavision to enhance these effects, and a rousing Elmer Bernstein score, which raises this at least one notch in its genre. The romantic entanglements are fillers to the main theme of the film which is about personal courage - an ultimate test of ability to earn respect.
Review of The Tin Star
