The Naked Spur

The third Mann/Stewart Western was the simplest yet most effective of their collaborations, with the actor giving one of his most hysterical performances as a bounty hunter driven by naked greed. Unable to capture and bring back outlaw Ryan without help, Stewart enlists old-timer Mitchell and dishonourably discharged cavalryman Meeker. But having captured Ryan - who, they discover, is looking after a friend's young daughter (Leigh) - the ill-matched trio are played off against one another by the manipulative Ryan. Through strong, clear story-telling and tremendous use of landscape, Mann infuses the familiar scenario with a remarkable psychological complexity.