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Product Description: Acclaimed director George Stevens' legendary rendition of the quintessential Western myth earned six Academy Award® nominations and made Shane one of the classics of the American cinema. The story brings Alan Ladd a drifter and retired gunfighter to the assistance of a homestead family terrorized by a wealthy cattleman and his hired gun (Jack Palance). In fighting the last decisive battle Shane sees the end of his own way of life. Mysterious moody and atmospheric the film is enhanced by the intense performances of its splendid cast.System Requirements:Starring: Alan Ladd Jean Arthur Van Heflin Brandon De Wilde Jack Palance Directed By: George Stevens Running Time: 117 Min. Color Copyright Paramount Pictures 2003. Genre: WESTERN/MISC. Rating: PG UPC: 097360652246 Manufacturer No: 065224Amazon.com essential video: Consciously crafted by director George Stevens as a piece of American mythmaking, Shane is on nearly everyone's shortlist of great movie Westerns. A buckskin knight, Shane (Alan Ladd) rides into the middle of a range war between farmers and cattlemen, quickly siding with the "sod-busters." While helping a kindly farmer (Van Heflin), Shane falls platonically in love with the man's wife (Jean Arthur, in the last screen performance of a marvelous career). Though the showdowns are exciting, and the story simple but involving, what most people will remember about this movie is the friendship between the stoical Shane and the young son of the farmers. The kid is played by Brandon De Wilde, who gives one of the most amazing child performances in the movies; his parting scene with Shane is guaranteed to draw tears from even the most stonyhearted moviegoer. And speaking of stony hearts, Jack Palance made a sensational impression as the evil gunslinger sent to clean house--he has fewer lines of dialogue than he has lines in his magnificently craggy face, but he makes them count. The photography, highlighting the landscape near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, won an Oscar. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews:
- Excellent Western and One of the Best! Too Bad About the DVD!: This along with "High Noon" and "Unforgiven" rank among my favourite westerns of all time. The screenplay is good but the setting is even better making this an excellent film. The background setting with expansive views of the mountains and the beautiful prairies is a good reason enough to watch this film. Director George Stevens seems to understand the power of colour in the film medium and in what must be one of the first colour westerns, took the opportunity to show just how breathtakingly beautiful the American prairies are.
I love films with good premises and that teach good life lessons and this is no exception. Shane is a gunfighter who wants to give up the trade but is finally forced to help his friends which is when he realises that you can't be what you are not but that you should be happy to be what you are.
The problem lies with this DVD version that hasn't been restored. The sound quality that comes in Dolby Digital 2.0 hasn't been well mastered and the picture quality isn't perfect. Here's hoping with the advent of Blu-ray that they take the opportunity to do a better picture and sound restoration with at least Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound options.
Great film but you may want to wait for a better restored version to surface. - Shane: Shane is one of the best movies ever made. Alan Ladd is unforgetable in the lead role. This is a movie, you will watch many times.
- Top of the List! : This is THE definitive (and the first) sort of dark western, the classic morality tale that just about every movie of its type since tries (and usually fails) to live up to. This is the sort of fare that real Americans grew up on: honor, chivalry, courage and loyalty.
George Stevens broke from the usual western fare of the 40's & 50's. The bad guys were the first I ever recall who had real character development. Also has several of the best classic lines: "A gun is a tool, Marion. It's as good or as bad as the man behind it." And a great short inspirational speech by Shane (Alan Ladd)which holds the homesteaders together. Terrific performances by Ladd, VanHeflin, Jean Arthur, Jack Palance and Ben Johnson, in fact, by the whole darned cast!
Great story, with outstanding cinematography for its era (won an Academy Award), which holds up well even today. No one who is a fan of the classic American western can count his collection complete without SHANE. - Shane--too sad to watch again: There are some movies that I buy that I have seen before. This is one of them. However, I probably will never watch it again since it is so sad. I just like to have this type of movie in my library and remember the story when I see the name. That may be a little wierd but I have many like that that are a comfort to have but heartbreakers to watch.
This movie came quickly and in good shape. My brother did watch it and it was in perfect condition. - a Classic!!: always wanted to get this dvd. an excellent buy for the money. plays well on my dvd at home. would recomend it to any one.
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