While I really don't think there is a genre called 'Western Noir', this film seems to blend a traditional western with the traditional film noir to create a very unusual hybrid--and a very good one at that. And, a very brutal film--one of the more cynical and brutal films of the era.
The film is based on some legendary lost mine in Arizona--one that apparently MIGHT exist but apparently people have been murdered in pursuit of this mine. It's a fictionalized piece about the history of the mine and it's taught in a very unusual fashion. The beginning and end of the film are set in the present day--with the grandson of the man who discovered the mine trying to locate it once again. Then, the middle portion is about that man who discovered it--a very unsavory character played by Glenn Ford. In some ways, he's great--very cold and nasty--an easy guy to hate. But, he also is supposed to be a German--and his accent seems to come and go! I would have either not made him German or re-shot the scenes or simply got an actor who had a better command of the language and accent. But I cannot complain too much, as he's given a lot of wonderfully juicy moments--brutal and realistic to a level rarely seen at that time. Overall, this is an exceptional film because of its unflinching approach to the subject matter.
If you do watch the film, there are two actors to note. First, in a tiny scene there is a little boy who is given a HUGE number of cookies. The kid is Billy Grey--'Bud' from "Father Knows Best". Also, one of the deputies is Jay Silverheels--'Tonto' from "The Lone Ranger".
The film is based on some legendary lost mine in Arizona--one that apparently MIGHT exist but apparently people have been murdered in pursuit of this mine. It's a fictionalized piece about the history of the mine and it's taught in a very unusual fashion. The beginning and end of the film are set in the present day--with the grandson of the man who discovered the mine trying to locate it once again. Then, the middle portion is about that man who discovered it--a very unsavory character played by Glenn Ford. In some ways, he's great--very cold and nasty--an easy guy to hate. But, he also is supposed to be a German--and his accent seems to come and go! I would have either not made him German or re-shot the scenes or simply got an actor who had a better command of the language and accent. But I cannot complain too much, as he's given a lot of wonderfully juicy moments--brutal and realistic to a level rarely seen at that time. Overall, this is an exceptional film because of its unflinching approach to the subject matter.
If you do watch the film, there are two actors to note. First, in a tiny scene there is a little boy who is given a HUGE number of cookies. The kid is Billy Grey--'Bud' from "Father Knows Best". Also, one of the deputies is Jay Silverheels--'Tonto' from "The Lone Ranger".