This is a classic western and one of Jimmy Stewart’s best. It’s the story of a man who captures an outlaw and embarks on the long journey through the mountains to collect his reward money. It’s a unique movie because there are only 5 official cast members in the entire movie. A young Robert Ryan is very good as the villain. Plenty of action and intrigue. Compare to “3:10 to Yuma.” 4 action rating
(actionrating.com)
True, there are only 5 official cast members, but take a look at stuntmen on the film. Chuck Roberson, who was Wayne's double, and Frank McGrath were members of the Wayne/Ford stock company. Then there is Tep Mapes who was Stewart's longtime stunt double.
Mapes bore some resemblance to Srewart as to body build, and when the AFI gave Stewart its Lifetime Achievement award, paid tribute to Mapes who was sitting at the head table. Mapes can be seen in The Man Whot Liberty Valance as "High Pockets" as one of Stewart's student. Strangely Bogdanovich makes no mention of him on the commentary.
The commentary for TMWSLV also contains comments by Stewart, Lee Marvin and John Ford.
This is a chamber piece of a drama, with 5 meaty roles, that happens to be set in some of the most beautiful and majestic scenery possible. I loved that! These five interact with each other in pretty much as multi-faceted a manner as any intimate Ingmar Bergman ensemble, and yet this is an action-packed western.
shareTook a moment to realize you were talking about The Naked Spur. Never would've thought of comparing it to a Bergman film since I've seen few of them. I rank it up there with Vertigo and It's A Wonderful Life in terms of Stewart verging on a nervous breakdown. Finally caught up with Strategic Air Command. Not bad once the soap opera stopped getting in the way of the flying sequences. I kept looking for Strother Martin and serial heavy Anthony Warde who I spotted as a colonel. Never did find Martin though.
You almost feel sympathy for Robert Ryan's character with so many people wanting to kill him for the bounty. Strange to see Millard Mitchell as the prospector after Singin' in The Rain, 12 O'clocl High and Winchester 73.
Of course its very different from Bergman, but I was just making a point that with only five people, who seem to be constantly changing relations with each other, the actors must have loved getting to show so many sides to their characters - as satisfying as acting in a heavy Bergman drama! It was certainly a different performance by Mitchell after his turn in Winchester '73 - I'll have to check to see if this was his last credit, I know he died too soon not long after this. Robert Ryan just is always good, isn't he?
I have yet to see Strategic Air Command, but am working my way through all the Stewart-Anthony Mann collaborations. Up next for me is Thunder Bay.
Thanks for writing back. I don't remember if Stewart's longtime double Ted Mapes is credited for TNS, but I remember seeing him at the head table at the AFI salute to Stewart years ago. Mapes, who had the same build as Stewart, had a long career as a stunt double. In King of The Royal Mounted he appears as a heavy giving Allen Lane/David Sharpe a hard time particularly at a dam. He can also be seen in Stewart's classroom in The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance.
True, there are only 5 official cast members, but take a look at stuntmen on the film.Yes, and I'd say quite a few of them play the Indians, who once again don't figure in the casting. But I agree the 5 person cast list is rather unique.🐭 share
[deleted]