Du sang dans la sierra

I was really geared up to enjoy this Western. It was high-class and adult in just about every way -- the acting, dialog, photography, scenery, cast, etc. Everything that is except the story. It soon became very boring; I couldn't wait for the movie to end. I fast-forwarded through some scenes. One thing that got on my nerves was the way in the wide open spaces of the desert West, the hero continually came across his lady friend and the bad guys by chance and how the characters could follow and track other characters so easily in the wide open spaces. Even the bad guy confessed on cue at the end by chance and coincidence. Even the evidence against the hero was rather flimsy. Too bad, for it was well-intentioned with good production values.

Plenty of the familiar 'B' western conventions are to be found here - a wrongly accused hero pursued by the law, a map marking the location of a gold mine, a glamorous tomboy heroine, a couple of cute horses, and so on. But 'Relentless' also makes immaculate use of the 'A' movie trappings of a good cast, a moody atmosphere and - above all - magnificent Technicolor photography of Arizona shot by cameraman Edward Cronjager; particularly the snowscapes that serve as an imposing backdrop to the early scenes.

Although Marguerite Chapman does fine yeoman work in her obligatory generic love interest role, the show is the pursuit of Young after horse thief MacLane. And, it is a fast-paced, cat-and-mouse entertaining game in which protagonist and antagonist take turns revealing their thoughts and feelings in a most involving way. This is certainly not a classic "B" western, but it is entertaining from beginning to end and very fast paced.

Harry Cohn decided to splurge a little by doing this modest B western on location. Some nice desert vistas and a decent plot characterize Relentless done by Columbia.

Relentless has Robert Young determined to clear his name after being accused of murdering a pair of old prospectors for their gold claim. It was Barton MacLane who did it and it's MacLane that's Young is after. Cutting themselves in is gambler Akim Tamiroff and his associate Mike Mazurki. After Young is the law represented by Willard Parker who would later star in Tales Of The Texas Rangers on television. Helping Young is itinerant peddler Marguerite Chapman.

There's also a bit more plot to this one than in a normal B western. Young who was primarily a light leading man who never got in the way of MGM's female stars could also turn in a serious performance when he would get the role. Young ran the gamut of emotions here, tender when taking a bullet out of a burro and almost sadistic in a shootout with Barton MacLane.

No traditional western stars so to speak, but western fans will definitely like Relentless.

This is a well made western that star Robert Young also produced. It includes three solid performances by Young, Marguerite Chapman and Barton MacLane. There is also a fun and somewhat poignant subplot involving a burro and a colt that is most unique. The title comes from the fact that Young's character never gives up in his pursuit of finding a killer. Chapman is highly engaging and real as she stands by her man (Young)with evidence to the contrary. Highly recommended. (Oh, watch for the appearance by Willard Parker as the sheriff. In a scene, towards the end, his physique and attitude remind you that he would have made a pretty good Lone Ranger if the commanding Clayton Moore hadn't been around.)