Gregory Peck does repressed anger and emotion very well. His darting eyes and shifting posture lend tension and drama to the screen.
Here in The Bravados' (1958), he uses these techniques to good effect.
A farmer's wife is molested and murdered. Anxious to track the band of killers, he arrives in a town where four desperados are about to be executed. He is prepared to let the law take it's course, even though he is critical of the hanging formalities.
When the four desperados manage to escape, he takes over the lead of the posse. His mercy is the mercy of the gun.
A crucial acting scene is when on his return to town he enters the church. He confesses, on the basis of friendship, to the padre, that the killers he has just dealt with are not those responsible for the murder of his wife. He has a crisis of conscience. Peck's jerky actions suggest the mental hoops he finds himself going through.
The question arises as to how justice is best served. As blind pursuit may lead to false judgements.
However, he becomes a hero to the people of the town for his actions on their behalf, making the land a fit place for decent folks to live.
Feminists might take issue with the leading lady. Just saying they were different times then may not cut ice. A strong man and a doting, albeit independent woman, fall easily into stereotypical categories. She( Joan Collins), also has conflicting opinions on the pursuit of justice
Even so, with an excellent cast, it is a solid piece of film work from director Henry King.
A farmer's wife is molested and murdered. Anxious to track the band of killers, he arrives in a town where four desperados are about to be executed. He is prepared to let the law take it's course, even though he is critical of the hanging formalities.
When the four desperados manage to escape, he takes over the lead of the posse. His mercy is the mercy of the gun.
A crucial acting scene is when on his return to town he enters the church. He confesses, on the basis of friendship, to the padre, that the killers he has just dealt with are not those responsible for the murder of his wife. He has a crisis of conscience. Peck's jerky actions suggest the mental hoops he finds himself going through.
The question arises as to how justice is best served. As blind pursuit may lead to false judgements.
However, he becomes a hero to the people of the town for his actions on their behalf, making the land a fit place for decent folks to live.
Feminists might take issue with the leading lady. Just saying they were different times then may not cut ice. A strong man and a doting, albeit independent woman, fall easily into stereotypical categories. She( Joan Collins), also has conflicting opinions on the pursuit of justice
Even so, with an excellent cast, it is a solid piece of film work from director Henry King.