Shane

Dir: George Stevens, 1953 (9.0*)

AFI Top 100

This is a landmark western, featuring Jack Palance (Oscar nominated) in probably the most archetypal villain role in any western. Taken from the terrific Jack Shaeffer novel, which every fan should read, as its a little less sentimental than the film (hence the 9*s). This is a powerful story, at the level of parable and mythology, with some unforgettable scenes, like the drifting newcomer Alan Ladd as Shane (perhaps a bit too spiffily dressed and clean to be a trail vagabond) helping farmer Van Heflin remove a giant tree stump. The first film for doe-eyed Brandon de Wilde, as the kid who looks up to Shane and his gun.