The Badlanders (1958) Direct: Delmar Daves (also directed: The Hanging Tree, '59; Cowboy, '58; 3:10 to Yuma, '57; Broken Arrow, '50; Drum Beat, '54). This is another Mining Western from Delmar Daves, which is actually a Western remake of The Asphalt Jungle (John Huston, 1950). The screenplay is based on a novel by W. R. Burnett. Ladd -- 'The Dutchman' -- and Borgnine -- McBain -- are recently released from Arizona territorial (map)prison in 1898. The prison scenes in the film are fairly good. A reluctant partnership is formed after release and the boys pursue that 'one big, final score.' The Badlanders is a pretty good Western. I often find Mr. Daves Westerns to be rather clunky in their staging and acting, but they are honest in their revealing of solid stories. I thought Borgnine was good here as usual, but Ladd I always find a bit peculiar in the Old West. In the final scene he does one of his odd hoppy-skips before strolling off into the sunset.There is fine suspense and second-guessing throughout the film, and this movie does its urban source proud. This is nothing less than a GOOD VIEW in the tradition of many well-rounded 1950s Westerns.

Cast:

• Alan Ladd....Peter van Hoek 'The Dutchman'
• Ernest Borgnine.... John McBain
• Katy Jurado.... Anita
• Claire Kelly.... Ada Winton
• Kent Smith .... Cyril Lounsbery
• Nehemiah Persoff.... Vincente
• Robert Emhardt.... Sample
• Anthony Caruso.... Comanche
• Adam Williams.... Leslie
• Ford Rainey.... Warden
• John Daheim.... Lee