Jubal (1956, Delmer Daves)

Here's a film that has remained under the radar for years. Now thanks to the wonderful Criterion Collection, this gem has been given the Blu-Ray treatment and has been fully restored.

It is directed by Delmer Davis who is certainly no stranger to the western genre, who has given us the terrific Broken Arrow which can be noted as one of the first post-war Westerns to portray native Americans in a sympathetic way, then the brilliantly photographed Noir-Western 3:10 to Yuma (which was remade in 2007).

The picture opens with Jubal, the heroine of the story (Glenn Ford) falling down a hill after loosing his horse. He is helped by Shep (Ernest Borgnine), a likeable ranch owner who gives Jubal (or just Jube) a chance and gives him food, shelter and a job on his ranch. Then we meet Shep's crew who all seem open on welcoming Jube to the ranch, except for Pinky (Rod Steiger), a treacherous cattleman who is by no means keen on seeing Shep bring in new blood on the ranch, as he is set on being top dog.

Shep soon grows a liking for Jube as he sees the honest, hard working trustworthy man in him and offers Jube the promotion of the new foreman as Shep doesn't fully trust Pinky. This of course enrages Pinky, but Jube has bigger problems, for since the day he arrived at the ranch, Shep's lustful Canadian wife Mae has been making endless sexual passes at him.

Jube however plays it smart and stays clear of the temptation. He has had his share of trouble, nor is he keen on offending his new friend/boss. But Pinky has also noticed Mae's longful glares at Jube and this  only enhances his anger and jealousy for Jube for we later find out that Mae and Pinky were previously having an affair. Watching Pinky is like watching a grenade that's ready to explode at any moment, with Mae as the pin.

It must also be said that we are given a terrific bunch of 'Western faces' combined for this picture starting with the always great Canadian actor Glenn Ford (from 3:10 to Yuma), Ernest Borgnine (from The Wild Bunch), Rod Steiger (from Duck, You Sucker), a young Charles Bronson (from Once Upon a Time in the West) and even Jack Elam who has been in endless western films, most notably the opening of Once Upon a Time in the West.

Delmer has set the right tone here in this almost noir-Western filmed in luscious Technicolor and taking full advantage of the beautiful landscape of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It is rich of jealousy, lust, betrayl and of course a tortured past (Jubal). In fact it can be scene as a western version of Othello, with Borgnine as Othello, Steiger as Iago and Ford as Cassio.

Thank you once again Criterion Collection for your Criterion touch on great forgotten films.

Rating: A