RELENTLESS
US, 1948, 93 minutes, Colour.
Robert Young, Marguerite Chapman, Willard Parker, Akim Tamiroff.
Directed by George Sherman.
Relentless is an enjoyable, modest western with similarities with the plot of John Buchan's The 39 Steps. A man is falsely accused of murder, goes in pursuit of the real killer, is pursued by the law. He also encounters the heroine who helps him. Whatever the similarities, this film is an enjoyable western crime story and pursuit. Robert Young seems as at ease in the West as he does in any other setting. Marguerite Chapman is a sturdy heroine. The direction is by George Sherman, director of many westerns and comedies.
1. Interesting and enjoyable western? Themes of murder, detection, pursuit, justice?
2. Colour photography, location photography? The atmosphere of the West? The western town? The open plains, the mountains? Musical score?
3. The title and its theme? Nick and his pursuit of the killer? The relentless pursuit of Nick?
4. Nick as hero - riding the range, his horses, coming into town, hospitality, being framed for the killing? The encounter with the killer? The sheriff presuming that he was a murderer? The killer indicating that he would tell the truth? The encounter with Louella - and her support, travelling with him, helping him to escape? The birth of the foal? The donkey helping the foal survive? The pursuit, the encounters with the sheriff, the burning of the field? The final confrontation? The encounters with the gamblers, their tying Nick up, his escape, the pursuit, their shooting the killer? His final confession and Nick's vindication? Robert Young's nonchalant style?
5. Louella and her inheriting the goods from her father, travelling the West, the criticism of her doing a man's job? Her desire for freedom? The encounter with Nick, travelling with him, two independents? Her siding with Nick against the Sheriff? Continued encounters, the final reunion?
6. The two murderers and their plan against the old miners, setting Nick up? The murder, their separate ways, the confrontation, one killing the other? The murderer deceiving Nick about relationship with the Sheriff? His going to the mine? The gamblers shooting him? His finally confessing?
7. The Sheriff - a conventional character, suspicion of Nick, pursuit? Anger with Louella for helping Nick?
8. The two gamblers and their life in the town, the possibility of getting the map, tying Nick up, his escape, their pursuit? The murder?
9. Familiar themes and characters? Competently done? Entertainment? The American West, themes of justice, law and order, truth?
