Riley Porter This film is pretty good, though I'm somewhat hard pressed to say that it distinguishes itself much from its peers. That's not to say that it isn't likable. It is. Though when I stack it against other films, and even just other Westerns, it's own distinctiveness fades in the shadow of its contemporaries. Gary Cooper is good in it, frankly everybody is with Maria Schell being the notable standout. He is Gary Cooper though. With the only other film I've seen where he is the star being High Noon, it's difficult for me not to see that he doesn't really separate his characters with the way he performs them, with the same stern, serious demeanor, reluctant to show his softer side. I honestly think the character he plays so naturally is only as good as it's written. And while this one is played close to High Noon's, it is written to be different, and so the familiar nuances carry new and interesting meanings. So in the end, Gary Cooper's performance, while good, seems to owe more of its credit to the writer than to Gary Cooper. Of course this isn't a one man show. All others present are good too. Like I said, Maria Schell is more so the standout than Cooper. She performs her role with a range of emotion and body language. As the film progresses her character grows, and her performance with it. Her's is a character that we understand fully, and who's personality and ambition is laid bare before us. Honestly, she can be a bit more relocatable than the protagonist at times. The story can feel like it is her's, not Coopers. That's not really a bad thing. Beyond the two stars no one else really stands on their own, and are really the most interesting when playing off of Cooper or Schell. Piazza's Rune being the best example. The reason for my putting so much emphasis on the performances without really getting into the other aspects of film-making is because there isn't much to talk about. It's kind of average. The cinematography, the score, the editing. It's average. That isn't to say it's bad. Beyond punches obviously not connecting when characters are fighting, and some confusing editing during a certain confrontation, you'll know which it is when you see it, everything is competent. Being competent is not the same as being exceptional however. So when I say that this film really doesn't distinguish itself that's mostly what I'm talking about. To Cooper's credit, if he and Schell weren't leading the charge on the acting front, this film might be a bit forgettable.If you would allege that you're a fan of Westerns, you'll probably like this film. If you don't like Westerns than I honestly wouldn't recommend it. If you're somewhere in between, I would advise you check it out. It is a good film. It is worth watching.

classicsoncall Gary Cooper portrays a conflicted man of extreme contrasts in this tale set in a mining camp with the dubious name of Skull Creek. His character is Doctor Joe Frail and he arrives with a mysterious past, having changed his name from Temple to become a man of frail hope. A couple of different interpretations are offered as to why he torched his former home where the Ohio meets the Mississippi. I'll go with the version that says he caught his wife in an affair with his own brother, and their deaths, either by his own hand or theirs, has resulted in a man who wears his inner scars on the outside.Cooper shows his age and illness from cancer in this, his last Western movie role, which may account for the strained appearance of his character. However he does acquit himself well in a realistic looking brawl against miner Frenchy Plante (Karl Malden) midway through the story. Yet despite the gruff exterior, Doc Frail exhibits a tender and compassionate side, most notably when he removes the bandages from the eyes of Elizabeth Mahler (Maria Schell), severely injured and blinded when her stagecoach was attacked and plundered. As a newly arrived immigrant to America, Miss Mahler is a fiercely independent and strong willed woman whose devotion to the doctor becomes apparent following his treatment and care.There were a couple of elements in the story that didn't mesh for this viewer, the first one involving the character of Grubb (George C. Scott). Apparently Grubb had some history with Doc Frail in the past, but that was never elaborated on, and so it seems he was in the story primarily to lead the lynch mob near the end of the picture. Otherwise the character didn't seem all that necessary. There was also a loose end left with Rune (Ben Piazza), Frail's bonded servant after the Doc tended him for a gunshot wound after he tried to rob Frenchy's gold sluice. I would have expected at some point that Rune's attempt would have come to light and that he and Frenchy would square off, but that never came to pass.In a nod to the hanging tree of the title, the picture's finale has Grubb inciting the villagers to form a lynch mob with Doc Frail as it's target over the death of Frenchy. In the midst of this frenzy, Miss Mahler and Rune offer up the spoils of their recent gold strike, in effect to buy Frail's life, at which point the mob dissipates and simply wanders off. I can't say that that seemed very realistic to me, though it did provide for the expected reconciliation of feelings between Doc and his patient.

wes-connors After an unfortunate family incident, embittered doctor Gary Cooper changes his name (to Joseph "Joe" Frail) and moves to 1873 Montana. "Doc" sets up shop in the aptly named Gold Rush town of "Skull Creek" with handsome young Ben Piazza (as Rune) as manservant, after saving the robber lad from death by posse. A stagecoach attack quickly provides Mr. Cooper with another housemate, Swiss emigrant Maria Schell (as Elizabeth Mahler). Baked and blinded by the sun, Ms. Schell heals into an uncommonly beautiful woman. As you might expect, patient and doctor are mutually attracted. Why she and Mr. Piazza amount to naught is not explained. Creepy head-capped Karl Malden (as Frenchy Plante) provides villainy..."The Hanging Tree" looms forebodingly as we learn more about Cooper's contrary character; it's a good role for the aging superstar, in one of his best later years performances. We may be meant to consider the love of Schell providing Cooper with a possible second chance as the main story, but much more interesting is how the story deals with ownership. Cooper "owns" both Piazza and Schell in saving their lives, but is challenged for the latter by Mr. Malden. The proof that Cooper is a good soul is conveyed early, by his tossing of the bullet he took from Piazza and his gift to the malnourished girl. And, "The Lucky Lady Mine" owners believe the ownership of material wealth will bring happiness. Delmer Daves directs beautifully.******** The Hanging Tree (2/11/59) Delmer Daves ~ Gary Cooper, Ben Piazza, Maria Schell, Karl Malden

MartinHafer This is a very good movie that could have been a lot better with two small changes. George C. Scott's role was completely unnecessary to the film and should have been excised. He was too good an actor for such a dopey character. Also, they call Karl Malden 'Frenchie' throughout the film, but why?! He seems to be attempting a French accent here and there--but rarely. It's a shame, as otherwise it's a really, really good film.Gary Cooper plays a doctor that comes into a crappy mining town. You don't know exactly what he's done in the past, but he's got a heck of a reputation with the gun. So, folks mostly leave him alone...that is, except for stupid 'ol Frenchie--but more about that later. Early in the film, Doc saves a stupid young man (Karl Swenson) and as a result, he announces that the kid is his indentured servant. Either that, or he'll tell the other miners that the kid was the guy they shot who was trying to steal from their sluices! The kid isn't happy, but he doesn't seem to have any choice.It gets a lot more interesting when a stagecoach is attacked outside town. Everyone but a lady is killed and the Doc takes her in and nurses her back to health. Tongues wag in this horrible town--in particular those of the viperous 'ladies' (Virginia Gregg is great as the leading slimy lady). You can tell there is some sexual tension developing between them. However, some other form of sexual tension has developed. Frenchie is clearly a sex offender in training and Doc warns him to stay away from the lady. But, he doesn't listen and the doctor beats the snot out of him. You know that eventually this will mean one of them will try to kill the other. But, what makes this an exceptional film is the ending--an ending that has a lot to say about greed and the baser nature of mankind. See the film--I really don't want to ruin the wild ending. Overall, a very well written film...aside from Scott! Cooper is great in one of his last roles--a real plum one. Watch this one.