Ride Lonesome
Ride Lonesome

Movie spotlight

Ride Lonesome

1959
Movie
73 min
English

On the way to pick up the bounty on a wanted murderer, a bounty hunter stops at a staging post where he is forced to continue his journey with two outlaws who want the murderer for their own reasons and a recently-widowed woman, with the murderer's brother and his men in hot pursuit.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Director: Budd BoetticherGenres: Western

Plot Summary

A stoic bounty hunter named Boone is tracking a notorious outlaw named Frank throughout the territory. He encounters a beautiful saloon owner, Amy, and her stepson, Billy, who have their own dangerous secrets and entanglements with the outlaw. Boone finds himself caught between his duty and a growing connection to Amy, all while navigating a treacherous landscape and the looming threat of Frank's gang.

Critical Reception

Ride Lonesome is widely regarded as one of the finest Westerns of its era, praised for its taut storytelling, strong performances, and atmospheric direction. It is a key entry in the 'Ranown Cycle' of Westerns made by Boetticher and Scott. Critics often highlight its economical script and effective character development within its runtime.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its lean, effective storytelling and Budd Boetticher's masterful direction.

  • Randolph Scott delivers a characteristically strong, understated performance.

  • The film is noted for its efficient pacing and compelling Western atmosphere.

Google audience: While specific Google user ratings are not readily available, general audience reception for Ride Lonesome is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers appreciating its classic Western elements, compelling plot, and the iconic pairing of Randolph Scott and Budd Boetticher.

Fun Fact

Ride Lonesome is the seventh and final collaboration between director Budd Boetticher and star Randolph Scott, often referred to as the 'Ranown Cycle' of Westerns, all of which were filmed in the starkly beautiful Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I usually find Randolph Scott to be a bit lightweight but he's on top form in this classy revenge western. He plays bounty hunter "Ben" who apprehends "Billy John" (James Best) for murder. He is taking him to town for a reckoning, but what ...

Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Solitary people dwarfed against an arid, empty, hostile landscape**_ A leathered, weathered bounty hunter (Randolph Scott) captures his quarry (James Best) in the wilderness of east-central California intending to take him to Santa ...

John Chard

John Chard

You just don't seem like the kind that would hunt a man for money. Ride Lonesome is directed by Budd Boetticher, written by Burt Kennedy and stars Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, Pernell Roberts, James Coburn, James Best & Lee Van Cleef. C...

talisencrw

talisencrw

In the past year or so, I've made a determined decision to get more accustomed to pre-1970's films from around the world, particularly genres I've previously given short change to, such as musicals, war films and westerns. I have to admit i...

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