Review of The Naked Spur

A salty prospector in 1868 Colorado is recruited by whom he believes to be a peace officer tracking down the killer of a marshal in Rocky Mountain terrain...turns out the officer is actually a mercenary, unsympathetic bounty hunter, determined to bring in his prey dead or alive. Character-driven western, an original from Oscar-nominated screenwriters Sam Rolfe and Harold Jack Bloom, is beautifully mounted by director Anthony Mann. In the lead, bull-headed James Stewart does his usual shouting thing; supporting cast, however, is exceptional, particularly Millard Mitchell, Ralph Meeker as a dishonorably discharged officer (being chased by Blackfoot Indians!), and Robert Ryan as their target. First-rate dramatic entertainment, despite minor problems with the sound recording, a few lapses in the visual continuity, and a disappointing final reel. **1/2 from ****