Excellent mid-50s Adult Western with Glenn Ford

For the first hour and ten minutes or so "Jubal" is captivating cinema of the highest order. Shep (Borgnine) is simpleminded and naïve, but likable and full of mirth. Mae (Valerie French) is fully clothed at all times, yet somehow oozes sexuality with every glance or word, illustrating that sexiness involves more than merely showing skin. Naomi (Felicia Farr) is an interesting addition: Her purity attracts Jube just as much as Mae's adulterous tactics turn him off.

Rod Steiger is perfect as the villainous Southerner-turned-Westerner "Pinky." His hostility toward Jubal is rooted in arrogance, envy and jealousy. His strategy to destroy Jubal is deception -- getting others to believe lies. This is how it happens in real life with enemies who hate you for no actual reason. Since there's no grounds for their antagonism they resort to lies to destroy your reputation and poison people's minds against you.

Glenn Ford is perfect as the tragedy-laden drifter and how can you go wrong with (a young) Charles Bronson?

A big bonus is the Grand Tetons as a backdrop for the story. These magnificent Wyoming mountains are nothing short of breathtaking!

The last act is potent in that it reveals the destructive power of a lie, if it's believed. The only people liars can deceive are simpletons who lack discernment; the wise remain skeptical until they observe concrete proof. You'll notice that two of Shep's men refuse to take Pinky at his word because they discern his fleshly motivations, not to mention they likely caught him in lies before.

On the downside, there's too much scampering around in the last act as the plot ties-up loose ends, but it's redeemed by the powerful subtext. Also, the opening credits score is understandably dated but, thankfully, the rest of the score isn't bad for the 50s.

Bottom line, "Jubal" is a powerful psychological Western loosely based on Shakespeare's "Othello"; there's thankfully no Disney-like unrealistic vibe anywhere to be found, nor lame attempts at humor (like in "The Searchers" or "The Desperadoes"). The film expertly touches on issues of friendship, envy, jealousy, competition, lust, hate, love, hope and the destructive power of a lie.

Let me add that Jubal is a man of fascinating noble character: He amazingly resists the skillful advances of the alluring Mae, like Joseph with Potiphar's wife, obviously because he wanted something better -- a woman he could trust!