The Hanging Tree

source: The Hanging Tree

Trailer—The Hanging Tree

It's still amazing me that excellent films such as "The Hanging Tree" and Arthur Penn's "Four Friends" (to name but two) are NOT made available on DVD -- esp. LONG before such crap as "My Mom's A Werewolf" (to name but one example)!!! Others commenters here have already summarized the story well, and this is one of the very best and detail-memorable of the western genre, esp. when one discounts the epic westerns and certainly one of Cooper's best. Co-star Karl Malden is excellent as always, and this is the time I recall noticing George C. Scott on film, in a small but scenery chewing role. I've not seen this film in at least 10~15 years, sad to say, but I hope to again. MAKE A DVD OF THIS FILM!!!

"High Noon", move over. "The Hanging Tree", in my estimation, is by far the better picture. The story, characterizations, acting, and musical score put this movie in the class of "Shane", "The Big Country", and "The Magnificent Seven". Cooper portrays Dr. Joe Frail as only he can. He is perfectly cast as a man with "frail hope" and, yet, has the strength and caring to help and protect others. As others have commented, this film is not even available new in vhs format, let alone dvd. The last time I checked The Western Channel and Turner Classic Movies it was not scheduled for viewing. If you want to enjoy a realistic story and superb acting from a great cast I recommend the "Hanging Tree."

WB claims the negative is in very sorry shape, no word on whether they will spring for a restoration. Odd thing is, though, that WB has a DVD out in Europe, region 2. Perhaps WB has contempt for Europe and has released a shoddy print. But I agree about this film. One of the best westerns ever made. The auteuristas don't care for it -- Delmer Daves is not among their favs -- so that may be one reason there isn't much push for a DVD. Brilliant cinematography, Max Steiner's score is one of his finest, tight script, direction is flawless (pax to the auteur theory claque) and the acting -- from Cooper and Schell and Maldin all the way down to the smallest part -- is pitch-perfect. Alas ...

This movie should be right up there with "High Noon", "The Searchers", "The Magnificent Seven", and other classic westerns. The cinematography and fantastic outdoor location alone make it a must see. Gary Cooper plays a gun-toting frontier doctor, with a mysterious past, Maria Schell, a determined immigrant, who becomes his patient. Karl Malden, a ruthless miner, who becomes her partner. The supporting cast is excellent, including a very slender young actor by the name of George C. Scott, whose performance is compelling. This is one of Cooper's last movies, and one of his best. I'm not really sure why, but this movie has not been enjoyed as much as it should, or received the praise it deserves. If you're a fan of the genre, and you have not seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to check it out.