THE LAW AND JAKE WADE

US, 1958, 86 minutes, Colour.
Robert Taylor, Richard Widmark, Patricia Owens, Robert Middleton, Henry Silva.
Directed by John Sturges.

The Law and Jake Wade is an enjoyable, if somewhat routine, western of the '50s. It has strong production values and is a star vehicle for Robert Taylor who was to move into television after decades as a strong Hollywood star. It gives Richard Widmark a chance to be yet another villain. The film was directed by John Sturges who had made his mark with small dramas at MGM and the well-received Bad Day at Black Rock. He went on to make The Gunfight at the OK Corral and The Last Train from Gun Hill. In 1960 he directed Magnificent Seven and moved to large-scale films including The Great Escape, The Hallelujah Trail, and the continuation of the O.K. Corral story in The Hour of the Gun.

1. An interesting and entertaining western? its use of familiar characters and situations? Quality of production? The American heritage?

2. The use of Cinemascope colour photography, western locations and atmosphere? The town, the open countryside, the mountains? Action and pace? The musical score?

3. The title and its focus on law and justice? Jake Wade as hero? His breaking of the law, his being a lawman - and the releasing Clint? His upholding of the law?

4. Robert Taylor's characterisation of Jake Wade? The familiar Hollywood western hero? The impact of his initially releasing Clint? His role as the Marshal?, His future with Peggy? His covering himself after releasing Clint? Clint and the gang and their hold on Jake? Taking him and Peggy? The long journey, the attempts at escape? The Indians? The fight amongst the men and Jake's fomenting it? The final shoot-out? Justice being done and seen to be done? Jake's past as a gunfighter, as a robber, the Civil War, his change of heart, the death of the bog and the revelation that he was not responsible? His future as a lawman of the West? With Peggy?

5. The contrast with Richard Widmark's Clint? In prison, the escape, his callous killing? The debt of justice for saving Jake's life? Their background as robbers, the Civil War? His own moral stances about robberies - heroism during the war, crime after the war? His callous attitudes? His hold over Jake? The taking of Peggy? His hold over his men? The journey, its dangers, Jake's attempts to escape? The Indians and the confrontation? Suspicions amongst his men? The search for the gold? The final confrontation and Jake's return for the shoot-out? A typical western villain?

6. The sketch of his gang (and the performances by stars who were to emerge in later decades, De Forrest Kelly, Henry Silva? Their loyalties, their greed, violence? The Indians? The siege and their deaths? The growing madness of Henry Silva's character? The madness of the gunfighters of the West?

7. Peggy and her relationship with Jake? Her being taken? His telling her the truth? Standing by her, the attempts at escape? Her support of him? The encounter with the military and their covering the situation? The future?

8. The military and their arrival, the Indians and Jake's skill in combating the attacks? The popular ingredients of western action?

9. The themes of the American heritage of the West, lawlessness, the impact of the Civil War, the reformation of many of the gunfighters, their building more secure and just futures? The transition from this 19th century into the 20th century West?