Randolph Scott rides tall in the saddle as a powerful cattle rancher in this action-packed western. Scott, who made a noteworthy contribution to this genre in the late 50's as a lean, mean cowboy, stars as John Stewart, an... more » Arizona rancher determined to rule his vast empire with strong willed integrity. Stewart meets with opposition, however, from local landowner Wick Campbell (Richard Boone) who prefers the persuasive power of the pistol to the letter of the law. Suddenly Stewart is forced to defend himself and the woman he loves, Jocelyn Brando) against Campbell's renegades who are determined to ransack the town. Now Stewart must take a life-and-death stand in a rugged confrontation that pits one man of justice against the overwhelming odds of TEN WANTED MEN.« less
John W . Ford | Los Angeles , California . U.S.A | 04/10/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Randolph Scott (1898-1987) rides tall in the saddle as a powerful cattle rancher in this action-packed Western , Scott how made a noteworthy contribution to this genre in the late 1950s as lean , mean cowboy , stars as John Stewart , an Arizona Rancher determined to rule his vast empire with strong-willed integrity . Stewart meets with appostions , however from local landowner Wick Campbell (Richard Boone 1917-1981) who preferes the persuasive power of the pistol to the letter of the law . Suddenly Stewart is Forced to Defend himself and the Women he Loves (Jocelyn Brando 1919-2005 , older sister of Marlon Brandon 1924-2004) against Campbell?s renegates who are determined to ransack the town .Now Stewart must take a life-and-death stand in rugged controntation that pits aone man of justice against the Owerwhelming odds of TEN WANTED MAN .This is a superb plot and great movie . High Quality digital transfer . Recommended"
Good, middlin' Scott Western
B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 08/14/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"While Columbia studios' TEN WANTED MEN is not a top drawer Western like COMANCHE STATION or RIDE LONESOME of a few years later, it is never less than entertaining---the kind of "super B" feature that enthralled sagebrush-addicts back in the 1950s. Certainly this is no Budd Boetticher directed product, and it lacks his stunning, distinctive touches, but there is enough action to keep any fan glued to his TV set. Richard Boone, who appeared in a number of Randy Scott's 1950s Westerns (most notably in THE TALL T), stands out as a superbly drawn villain. And Scott is always excellent."
Underrated Gem
rod ballantine | u.k | 05/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i don't know why anyone gives this film less than five star rating and on top of it praise the budd boetichher westerns. though boeticher films are great, i find the pre-boetciher-scott westerns the best as there are more traditional and less talky and grim than the boeticher westerns. Ten wanted men is no exception; it is fast paced, well-plotted and has plenty of intense action to keep your eyes peeled. definately one of scott's best. sometimes i find that in the scott-boeticher westerns, there's too much talking and walking around with some pretentious talk that can drag the film down."
Fair To Middling Scott Western
Terence Allen | Atlanta, GA USA | 07/22/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Ten Wanted Men, as many of Randolph Scott's other fifties Westerns, suffers in comparison to the Budd Boetticher-directed Westerns featuring Scott. Once again, as with some of the non-Boetticher Scott films, this movie has a great cast, interesting plot features, and lots of potential, but the payoff is not as great as it should be.
Scott plays a rancher who takes in a young Mexican woman who is being relentlessly pursued by Richard Boone, who is a rancher coveting Scott's vast land holdings. Scott's generosity toward the woman gives Boone the perfect excuse to start trouble, and he hires a gang of thugs, including Leo Gordon and Lee Van Cleef, to terrorize and try to kill Scott, Scott's brother, and Scott's nephew.
Boone, who is one of the alltime great Western actors, seems out of place as a desperate cad who has to hire other men to do his dirty work. Also, this film contains many elements of Scott's other movies, and rather than seeming fond and comfortable, they seem tired and warmed over.
Scott is Scott, and that says a lot. He was often criticized for his perceived lack of acting ability, but there was a humanity and honesty about his characters that drew audiences to him then, and still works today, making him one of the most appealing American actors. But Ten Wanted Men would have been better served by Boetticher, Raoul Walsh, or another capable Western director."
Watchable western
F. J. Harvey | Birmingham England | 06/06/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Director H Bruce Humberstone specialised in detective movies and musicals and his lacklustre direction of this rugged Western may be explicable for that reason .It needed a genre specialist to lift out of the routine but watchable picture we are confronted with in Ten Wanted Men
Randolph Scott plays John Steward , a prosperous Arizona rancher who brings his lawyer brother to the area to help in the imposition of law and order.Steward's most implacable enemy is locasl saloon owner and businessman Wick Campbell whose anger is further fuelled when his mistress ,tired of Campbell's jealousy and abusive seeks sanctuary at Steward's ranch .Campbell hires a bunch of ne'er do well gunslingers (including Leo Gordon and Lee Van Cleef ,both excellent ).He does not scruple to kill to obtaian more land and to rustle Steward's cattle .events move towards a climax when the gunslingers lay siege to a building with Steward ,the helpless local law and a few of Steward's closest allies
Boone is first rate,giving depth to what could simply have been a caricature villain and Jocelyn Brando does well in the underwritten role of Steward's girl friend .After a stuttering start the movie build s to a sharp and gripping climax.Given tauter direction and a more animated performance by Scott thios could have bben a minor classic .As it is ,while watchable and entertaining ,it just lacks that extra bite to lift it above the ordinary"