Today’s quick review: Hang ‘Em High. Falsely accused of cattle theft, Jed Cooper (Clint Eastwood) nearly dies when a posse hangs him without a proper trial. A U.S. Marshal saves his life and brings him to Judge Fenton (Pat Hingle), who clears Jed of all charges and offers him a job as a Marshal. Jed takes the offer and sets about bringing justice to a lawless territory, starting with the nine men who tried to kill him.
Hang ‘Em High is a Western that maps out the line between justice and revenge in the Old West. Clint Eastwood, a compelling plot, and solid presentation give the movie all the tools it needs to succeed. The story follows Jed as he braves criminals, posses, and his own hunger for revenge to enforce the law properly. The plot meanders as various subplots come to the fore, but the unifying thread of Jed’s nine targets ties the film together nicely.
Hang ‘Em High skews more towards drama than most Westerns. The movie has its share of action, but the story focuses on the nuances of justice in the Oklahoma Territory, a massive expanse of half-settled land where enforcing the law falls to a handful of marshals and a single judge. Jed’s own case shows the dangers of dispensing justice on the spot, but the wild nature of the Territory makes transporting a prisoner to trial a risky proposition.
Watch Hang ‘Em High when you’re in the mood for a serious, well-executed Western. Its indirect plot and measured use of action make it a less flashy watch than other entries into the genre, but solid craftsmanship and a unique moral angle make it a worthwhile watch for the right viewer. For an involved Clint Eastwood Western that focuses more on revenge, check out The Outlaw Josey Wales. For a sprawling Western epic, try The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a strong lead and a well-constructed plot.