HANGMAN'S KNOT

US, 1952, 84 minutes, Colour.
Randolph Scott, Donna Reed, Claude Jarman Jr., Richard Denning, Lee Marvin.
Directed by Roy Huggins.

Hangman's Knot has all the ingredients of a typical end-of-Civil War Western. Randolph Scott has done this type of thing innumerable times and Lee Marvin was setting out on a career of villainy. Nevertheless, the film is better made and acted than most. The characterisation is also better and there are human interest themes rather than cliche action for action's sake. An enjoyable Western, useful for discussion, especially for an undiscriminating group as well as for dedicated Western fans.

1. In what ways was the film a 'typical' Western?

2. What was your initial reaction to the men and the holding-up of the stage? Did your attitude change when you found that they were soldiers?

3. What comment did the film make on the Civil War, on war, in general, and its effect on soldiers? on the necessity of killing?

4. What comments on greed did the film make?

5. What was the point of focussing on the character played by Lee Marvin?

6. The hero said that the young soldier would have to grow up before getting to the Texas border. How did he grow up?

7. Was the ending merely sentimental or romantic or did the film-makers have a point to make? If so, how successful were they?