Ride Lonesome
Our Price: $27.95
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.75 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
VHS Tape Cover Information
Edition: VHS TapeFormat: Color
Running Time: 73 unknown-units
Published: 1990
Publisher: Goodtimes Home Video
Studio: Goodtimes Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Ride Lonesome
Movie Review: A grim Randolph Scott sets out to apply his own brand of justice in this fine Budd Boetticher movie
Summary: 4 Stars
This Budd Boetticher (director)/Burt Kennedy (writer)/ Randolph Scott movie is a fine example of skilled craftsmanship matched with economy of purpose. Ride Lonesome moves quickly, the plot shifts beneath our feet, the photography is spare, the characters (there are only six billed actors) are distinctively drawn and the economy of writing, the economy of directing, the economy of editing and the economy of acting should make anyone who likes movies pay close attention. In fact, the only non-economical things about this movie are the over-blown music score and Karen Steele's bosom.
It takes only seven minutes to know what we need to know about Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott), the kind of man he is, what he's planning to do with the young murderer he captured, Billy John, and to be impressed as all get out with the hot, dry, boulder-strewn setting. But then the story starts to change. Something else is going on in Ben Brigade's head besides bounty hunting and bringing in Billy John to be hanged in Santa Cruz. And it ain't nice.
This 1959 movie lasts only 73 minutes. Nowadays, it takes that long for Martin Scorsese to meander to the first carefully lit shot of Leonardo DiCaprio.
And now elements of the plot will be discussed. What we know is this. Brigade has Billy John (James Best). He takes him to an isolated stage station where he encounters two robbers, Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts), just about as smart and tough as Brigade, and his partner Whit (James Coburn) a friendly, gangly kind of a guy. Roberts makes a sturdy counterpoint to Scott. There is Mrs. Carrie Lane (Karen Steele), wife of the stationmaster who had left her alone to gather in some wandering cattle. He hasn't retuned. Now the plot gets interesting. Boone and Whit have learned there's an amnesty for anyone who brings Billy John in. They wouldn't mind giving the straight life a chance. All they have to do is take Billy John away from Brigade, one way or another. But the Mescaleros who have slaughtered the people in a stagecoach that just came crashing in have an idea or two of their own. Their chief wants to trade a horse for Mrs. Bradshaw, or else. With the way she fills a blouse, especially when Boetticher keeps photographing her in profile, one can see why. So off the five of them ride, taking shelter at night, riding through wide-open sand dunes and hard scrabble during the day, with the Mescaleros attacking and tracking them.
What's next? Billy John has an older brother, Frank (Lee Van Cleef). When Frank learns Brigade intends to see Billy John hanged in Santa Cruz, Brigade and Boone know Frank and his gang will do whatever it takes to rescue his brother. It's all going to come together at the hangin' tree. It might not be pretty, but it's going to be tense and surprising.
There are a lot of elements in this story, including hidden motivations and conflicting intentions. Here is why the craftsmanship and the economy of presentation are so important. Step by step we learn the additional complications of the plot. There's no fuss, just clear, first-rate story telling. And then there's the satisfaction of learning that we weren't able to guess it all.
Scott was 62 one he made this movie, one of several first-rate films he made late in his career with Boetticher, often with the screenplay written by Burt Kennedy. If you enjoy craftsmanship and Randolph Scott, consider buying The Bud Boetticher Box Set, The five movies -- The Tall T, Decision at Sundown, Buchanan Rides Alone, Comanche Station and Ride Lonesome -- are some of the best of the Boetticher/Scott collaborations. The only DVD of Ride Lonesome comes from this set. The video and audio transfers on the DVD are just fine. There is an audio commentary by Jeremy Arnold, identified as a film historian, and an appreciation of the film by Martin Scorsese. I didn't bother to listen to either. I admire Martin Scorsese, if not most of his latest movies, but is there any film Scorsese isn't an expert on?
Westerns VHS Video
VHS Video Movies
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation VHS Video
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics VHS Video
- Comedy VHS Video
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama VHS Video
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror VHS Video
- Kids & Family
- Military & War VHS Video
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports VHS Video
- Television VHS Video
- Westerns VHS Video
Movies most talked about in The Greatest Westerns Part 1 1900-1960
Rio Bravo (Two-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2007-05-22; DVD
Best price: $10.75
Price in other shops:
Ride LonesomeGoodtimes Home Video; Published: 1990; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $27.95
![Hanging Tree [VHS] Image](/images/Hanging-Tree-VHS-6302751136-X.jpg){kind=small}
Hanging Tree [VHS]Warner Home Video; Release date: 1994-07-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Man of the WestTCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2008-05-13; DVD
Best price: $7.96
Price in other shops:
The Tall TGoodTimes Home Video Corp.; Published: 1990; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.41
Forty GunsSTANWYCK,BARBARA; Release date: 2005-05-24; DVD
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
The Searchers (Ultimate Collector's Edition)WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2006-06-06; DVD
Best price: $9.95
Price in other shops:
JubalFORD,GLENN; Release date: 2005-04-05; DVD
Best price: $7.91
Price in other shops:
Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $14.88
Price in other shops:
The Man From LaramieSTEWART,JAMES; Release date: 2000-02-15; DVD
Best price: $6.92
Price in other shops:
Similar VHS Movies
![Virginia City [VHS] Image](/images/Virginia-City-VHS-6302375835-X.jpg){kind=small}
Virginia City [VHS]MGM (Warner); Release date: 1994-12-07; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
The RoundersRelease date: 2010-01-25; DVD
Best price: $24.49
Price in other shops:
Badlanders [VHS]MGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $19.95
The Missouri BreaksTCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2005-11-08; DVD
Best price: $4.73
Price in other shops:
Bandolero!WELCH,RAQUEL; Release date: 2004-03-09; DVD
Best price: $6.32
Price in other shops:
The Return of Frank JamesTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-03-06; DVD
Best price: $7.26
Price in other shops:
![Comanche Station [VHS] Image](/images/Comanche-Station-VHS-6304092024-X.jpg){kind=small}
Comanche Station [VHS]Sony Pictures; Release date: 1996-07-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $53.84
Ten Wanted MenSCOTT,RANDOLPH; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
Decision At SundownGoodtimes Video; Published: 1990; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.95
The Tall TGoodTimes Home Video Corp.; Published: 1990; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.41