The Naked Spur (1953)

My first western viewing in half a year seems to have one of the most generic titles, but I assure you that the spur does serve an unusually important purpose eventually. I'll spare you that spoiler, even if it's hardly the biggest surprise.

For me, the biggest surprise (but not really a spoiler) came about 15 minutes in, as the Netflix description didn't do the plot much justice. We're told that Howard (James Stewart), on a long manhunt for Ben (Robert Ryan), meets and receives help from old prospector Jesse (Millard Mitchell) and Yankee ex-soldier Roy (Ralph Meeker). What Netflix omits is how quickly they round up Ben, accompanied by his not-girlfriend Lina (Janet Leigh). The rest of the movie is about their journey from Colorado toward Kansas to collect a reward. Ben has his hands tied, but he's not gagged and knows well how to sow discord among the party while hatching a plan with Lina. No wonder he frequently wears a charismatic little smile.