VENGEANCE VALLEY
US, 1951, 82 minutes, Colour.
Burt Lancaster, Robert Walker, Joanne Dru, Sally Forrest, Ray Collins, John Ireland, Hugh O' Brian, Carleton Carpenter.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.
Vengeance Valley is a brief and brisk western. It portrays the cattle-ranchers of north-west America, the life in ranching, the movement of the cattle throughout the seasons. In this respect, it is a vivid portrait of the west.
The film was also a psychological western. These had become popular in the late 40s. Burt Lancaster and Robert Walker play foster brothers with Ray Collins as their father. Robert Walker has been the spoilt brother, always getting his own way with his adopted foster brother defending him. Burt Lancaster plays the older brother as a decent man in every respect - though fairly fast with his fists when occasion requires. Joanne Dru gives a strong presence as Walker's wife, disillusioned by his behaviour and his getting her friend Lily (Sally Forrest) pregnant. Carleton Carpenter is the cowhand in love with Sally Forrest. John Ireland and Hugh O' Brian are her brothers who want to know who is the father of her child and who are bent on vengeance.
The film is really a variation on the prodigal son theme, which turns to a kind of Cain and Abel conflict as Robert Walker begins to be more devious, wanting to get all the property and power, arranging for assassins to kill his foster brother.
The film was directed by Richard Thorpe, a veteran at MGM who was to move in the early 50s into the spectacles of The Knights of the Round Table, Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward and other like adventures.
1. An interesting and entertaining western? The western themes, the cowboys, the cattle, the spreads, their work? Themes of law and order, vengeance?
2. The film as a psychological western, the nature of family, family conflicts, sibling rivalry, sexual jealousy? An atmosphere of violence and tension? The title?
3. The colour photography, the spectacle of the cattle runs? The landscapes? The action in the landscapes? The musical score?
4. The focus on the opening up of the west, the comments about the Comanche camps and the boys throwing stones at them? The changes, the open range? Cattle, cattle rustling, cattle deals? The spectacle of the large herds? The rich landowners?
5. Owen, Burt Lancaster's presence, an upright and decent man? The background of his being fostered, his devotion to Arch for fifteen years? Training Lee, making excuses for him, as regards drinking, as regards women, as regards Lily's pregnancy? His delivering the $500 to her? His devotion to Jen, but his decency in her regard? The confrontation with Lily's brothers, their pulling the guns, the fights? At home, on the farm, stopping Lee whipping the horse during the training? In town, friendship with the sheriff? The men together, the breakfast scene? Hewie and his friendship? Owen saving Lee from the violence? Lee and his double-dealing behind Owen's back, Owen's suspicions? The rustled cattle, his recovering them, the fight? Going on the travels, the meeting of the two herds, his discovering that the herd was for sale? His confronting Lee? His being bashed and Jen helping him, Lee taking the opportunity to pretend to be suspicious? Lee persuading Owen to ride with him, the set-up, the ambush? His being wounded? His chasing Lee, the confrontation, his being quicker on the draw? Lee's death?
6. Lee as a character, weak, his relationship with his father, getting his own way, drinking, gambling, shooting? Lying? The return home, leaving Owen to give the money to Lily? Avoiding meeting Jen? His attempts to settle down, his inability to go straight? His relationship with his father, persuading him to let him be a partner? The clash with Jen, suspicions of Owen? The rustled cattle and his buying them? The decision to sell the cattle at a large price, to leave, to get Lily's brothers out of jail, in amongst the workers, and arranging for the ambush? His complacency, malice, his death?
7. Arch, the genial patriarch, taking the blame for his son's behaviour, spoiling him, his mother dying, yet wanting Owen to be a father figure for him? His wise words to Jen, his support of Owen?
8. Jen, orphan, a good woman of the west, her marriage to Lee, disillusionment? Her devotion to Owen? Lily, the baby, not revealing that Lee was the father?
9. Lily's brothers, pulling the guns, the vengeance for the honour of their sister? The fights, in jail? Their being let out, joining the crew, the ambush and their deaths?
10. Hewie, the commentary, supportive of Owen, attracted to Lily, supporting Owen at the end?
11. A satisfying western, a satisfying human and psychological drama?
