The Tall Men (1955)

Will you take my boots off?

The Tall Men is directed by Raoul Walsh and stars Clark Gable, Jane Russell, Cameron Mitchell and Robert Ryan. Produced out of 20th Century Fox by William A. Bacher and William B. Hawks, it's adapted for the screen by Frank S. Nugent & Sydney Boehm from a novel written by Heck Allen (as Clay Fisher). Filmed out of Durango, the cinematography is by Leo Tover in a CinemaScope/DeLuxe production and Victor Young provides the score.

Montana Territory 1866

"They came from the South, headed for the gold-fields….Ben & Clint Allison, lonely, desperate men. Riding away from a heartbreak memory of Gettysburg. Looking for a new life. A story of tall men-and long shadows."

The Tall Men has professionalism written all over it, from the tight direction by Walsh to the on the money writing, it's a Western that has no pretencions. The panoramic vistas are beautifully realised by the makers and in spite of Russell's flat style of acting, the cast put credibility into the cattle drive and romantic aspects of the story. Tho action sequences are few and far between, the film succeeds because of the well written characters and the landscapes that frame them. There's even much comedy to enjoy as well, a department where Russell does earn her corn in the movie (there's also a bath moment to get us boys hot under the collar too). Most notably the comedy works for her when playing off of Gable who seems to be enjoying himself as the rough, tough and cheeky Ben Allison. Very talky to be sure, there are for instance many extended scenes of our lead protagonists swapping dialogue, but it all serves a purpose and in the capable hands of Walsh the sequences serve to drive the narrative forward.

Solid enjoyable stuff if ultimately a touch too long. 6.5/10

Freshly discharged from the losing side in the American Civil War, brothers "Ben" (Clark Gable) and "Clint" (Cameron Mitchell) set out to rob wealthy businessman "Stark" (Robert Ryan) but instead of stealing from the man, they agree to help him on a tortuous cattle drive bringing steers from Texas where they are cheap, to Montana where they can increase their investment twentyfold. Along the way, the brothers come to the rescue of the strong-willed "Nella" (Jane Russell) and soon she has her hooks well and truly into Gable - making their already treacherous trip now even more lively! This is quite an enjoyable story to follow, the trials and tribulations faced by the travellers from angry Sioux and an hostile environment make for quite an exciting story, with Gable on good form and Ryan, likewise, giving one of his more engaging performances. The dialogue has had some thought put into it too - some of it is quite pithy with the banter between Gable and Russell quite amusing at times. It is too long, though - there are periods where the pace is just way to sluggish and I couldn't help thinking that, though, adequate, Jane Russell isn't quite right for the part - feisty, yes, but somehow just a bit too flat. Still, it's at the top end of the genre with plenty going on and featuring some stylish and grand cinematography.