Yellow Sky (1948)

Very well executed

Load of rubbish!!

Disturbing yet enthralling

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

Forced to ride for days through the desert after a daring bank robbery, a group of outlaws arrive at a foreboding ghost town in this atmospheric western from Lamar Trotti and William Wellman - who wrote and directed 'The Ox-Bow Incident'. While not as well known as the 1943 Henry Fonda western, 'Yellow Sky' offers an almost equally compelling tale of greed, trust and betrayal. The first few scenes are particularly striking with the outlaws ruing how they "can't even buy {themselves} a drink of water" despite lugging all their gold across the desert. The film benefits from some excellent, wide open exteriors too that emphasise just how lost they are before coming across the ghost town. Their experiences at the town prove even more interesting as they find that the two remaining residents are sitting on a fortune in gold, which they ironically still want, forgetting their earlier regrets of lugging gold across the desert minus water. There is a romantic angle that does not really gel; the fact that none of gang leader Gregory Peck's colleagues are fleshed out in much depth also lessens the impact of the rift that develops between them, but generally speaking, the film remains compelling right to the end. Anne Baxter makes for a surprisingly feisty female lead, James Barton offers solid support as her grandfather, and the tale benefits greatly from the dilapidated ghost town sets.

Yellow Sky is a unusual, moody and magnificent western. I had never heard of it previously and I'm surprised it doesn't have a much higher profile. Six bank robbers on the verge of death after escaping a posse, stumble upon a ghost town inhabited by an old man and his granddaughter. They realise that they may have an opportunity to all make a fortune however group dynamics and greed take over. It makes a change from the usual western plot but this isn't the only thing that makes this film stand well above most of it's peers. The setting is great and the filming is top class with some great cinematography. The acting is excellent from all the cast. I'm not a massive fan of Gregory Peck but he is outstanding in this as the morally ambiguous leader of the gang. There is an early appearance from Richard Widmark and Anne Baxter is captivating as the feisty granddaughter. The brilliant and convincing script sparkles despite there not being an awful lot of gun play. The characters are all interesting and I liked the fact they weren't all clichéd, a failing of many westerns. Considering what has gone before the very ending is maybe a little too twee but this is a minor gripe as the rest of the film is so good. One of the best and most enjoyable westerns I've seen to date and one which is comparable to most of the perceived classic westerns.

Greed...is the first word that comes to mind when ever, I think about this film. It's a film that makes you think about (right and wrong) as the storyline continues to unfold. Stretch played by (Gregory Peck) and his gang stumble into a town that seems to be deserted. But as they soon learn, there is still a couple of people who still live there. A very lovely girl named Mike played by (Anne Baxter) and her grandfather (James Barton) still live in this ghost town. But why?....Is the question that haunts Stretch and his band of me. As the film unfolds, the truth is revealed about 'why' these two stayed behind. Stretch..begins to have a soft-spot for (Mike) and she also begins to fall for him. But, Dude..played by (Richard Widmark) and (Half Pint) played by Henry 'Harry' Morgan have other plans in mind. But as they come to find-out (Mike) is pretty good with a shot-gun. The expression on (Richard Widmark's face are priceless.) Stretch soon comes to realize that he must do the right 'thing' rather than the wrong 'thing' to safe the woman that he now loves. It's a great tale that any movie-buff will enjoy. And (Anne Baxter) really does a good job in this film. You'll enjoy...Yellow Sky.

*Fine cast-Gregory Peck, Harry Morgan, Richard Widmark, Anne Baxter, etc.*Beautifully filmed, stark Death Valley backdrops, shadows, lines over the sand and rocks. You can tell its a late 40's movie.*Has a bit of a film noire look to it as well, especially during the shootout. Watch how the moonlight filters through the curtains onto Anne Baxter and Peck in one shot especially, almost like they were a part of them...yeah I know, sounds weird. But if you see it you'll know what I mean.*Good to see John Russell in his Leo Gordon/Lee Van Cleef baddie phase. You can't miss those eagle like eyes.*Plot is odd-the hidden stash of gold, the tomboyish gal w/ the gun protecting her grandfather, John Russell out to rape her(yes), Peck going over to their side, Sherman Potter switching sides (twice!), the return of the loot to the bank, etc. It plays well but takes a few turns you don't expect.*Mass cameo of 100 Apaches. They fade out about as fast as the cavalry(!) does at the beginning.*Do see this. Peck and Widmark play off one another well *** outta ****