The Naked Spur
A driven bounty hunter and two uneasy partners must transport a killer through the mountains while greed and manipulation threaten to destroy their fragile alliance.
Overview
A relentless bounty hunter faces moral dilemmas as greed threatens to tear his team apart.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- austere
- brooding
- classic western marathon
- james stewart retrospective
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a masterful, psychologically intense western distinguished by Anthony Mann's direction, James Stewart's performance, and its moral complexity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Howard Kemp's bounty hunt becomes an escalating contest of manipulation and suspicion among Kemp, Vandergroat, Anderson, and Tate.
The group crosses rugged mountain terrain while ambushes, escapes, and confrontations turn the landscape into a constant source of danger.
Kemp's pursuit of the killer is driven by the bounty and shaped by a personal desire for retribution, complicating his claim to lawful purpose.
Ben Vandergroat repeatedly sows doubt among his captors and attempts to convert their greed and resentment into an escape opportunity.
Films like The Naked Spur, and why
Winchester '73
psychologically intense western atmosphere, morally compromised bounty hunters, and mountainous wilderness setting
The Man from Laramie
anthony mann western focused on obsession, pursuit, and james stewart's driven protagonist
Ride the High Country
dark revisionist western tensions, outlaw pursuit, and corrosive greed
The Searchers
claustrophobic western pursuit, hostile landscape, and escalating moral conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Anthony Mann
- Release Date
- 1953-01-29
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (268)
Cast
- James Stewart
- Janet Leigh
- Robert Ryan
- Ralph Meeker
- Millard Mitchell
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Naked Spur about?
- A driven bounty hunter and two uneasy partners must transport a killer through the mountains while greed and manipulation threaten to destroy their fragile alliance.
- What is The Naked Spur like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Naked Spur as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Naked Spur violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Naked Spur as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Naked Spur?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a masterful, psychologically intense western distinguished by Anthony Mann's direction, James Stewart's performance, and its moral complexity.
- Which films are like The Naked Spur?
- Films with a similar feel include Winchester '73, The Man from Laramie, Ride the High Country, and The Searchers.
- How long is The Naked Spur?
- The Naked Spur runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Naked Spur?
- In United States, The Naked Spur is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
