AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 52


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Shane: Joey, there's no living with... with a killing. There's no going back from one. Right or wrong, it's a brand. A brand sticks. There's no going back. Now you run on home to your mother, and tell her... tell her everything's all right. And there aren't any more guns in the valley.

Shane (1953)
Original List Position: 69
Starring: Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, and Jack Palance
Director: George Stevens
About: This is another Western, and an iconic one at that. The film landed later on the original list than where I have it, but it leapt up to No. 45 on the updated list. So, I have it right about in the middle, which feels right. Ladd is great in the lead role as Shane, a commendable hero with a past who's pulled into action. This has a good story and some good action sequences, plus a young Palance in a key role. It won for Cinematography and has some good shots. It's also a film that is remembered for its ending, and the somewhat open-ended nature of what happens. If you're a fan of westerns, this is worth checking out.

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