As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Set shortly after the Civil War two former Confederate soldiers, brothers Ben and Clint Allison ride into a town in Montana Territory hoping to make some money... they do this by kidnapping and robbing businessman Nathan Stark. While they are robbing him Stark makes a proposition... they can take the money and live the rest of their lives as hunted men or they can join him in a potentially very profitable venture; to drive 5000 head of cattle from Texas where they are cheap to Montana where hungry prospectors will pay top dollar for prime beef; they except his proposal and set off south. Along the way Ben rescues settler Nella Turner from a band of Sioux; it looks as if they will get close to each other but when he talks of his plans to live on a ranch in Texas she considers his dreams too small and they have a rapid falling out... she quickly appears to fall for Stark's charms, and wealth, though. Having got to San Antonio they purchase the herd and hire a group of Mexicans who have worked with Ben before to help on the drive. On the drive north they have to deal with people trying to force them to pay a 'tax' to enter Kansas, tensions between Ben and Nella and finally they must get through Sioux territory after the army warn them that the trail is closed.The first thing I noticed was the spectacular scenery; it may have been filmed in Mexico rather than between Montana and Texas but it looked great; especially on the way south when they were riding through deep snow. The story was told at a fairly slow pace but that isn't a bad thing as it reflects the fact that the action takes place over a period of months; it also gives us time to get to know the characters before the action starts. Clark Gable is clearly the star of the film and he does a fine job as Sam Allison, Robert Ryan also puts in a solid performance as Stark and Jane Russell was good enough as Nella although at times it felt as though she was in a different, more light-hearted film! The action, when it came was impressive; especially when they ran the cattle through a canyon during the attack by the Sioux... at one point a wagon broke and it was crushed to nothing by the stampeding cattle in seconds! They were obviously pleased with some of the shots as I'm sure I saw the same Sioux and his horse come crashing down three times! There is a little twist at the end when they get to Montana but I won't spoil that here. Overall I'd say this is a pretty good western; definitely worth watching if you are a fan of the genre.

They don't make like this any more with real live actors, scenery, and animals... The energy is so much better that all digital movies these days. CGG is over done these days and it gives a movie no life energy... The Tall Men with take you back into the good old days for a great adventure and drama. Gable was a good compliment to Jane and all the play of action and drama was well balanced and it played... So many fine actors to bring the wild west to us forever! I like the Indian actors as well, such authentic looking Indians and no over done special effects here as well. The photography was masterfully done in this movie with great attention to composition and color.Take the ride!

The first thing you notice is the stunning photography and use of the location. Does anyone do the wide screen better Raoul Walsh? I mean he practically invented it with "The Big Trail" back in 1930 with the 70mm Grandeur process. You feel like you're in for a real big screen treat, but then the story moves inside and the story get pretty pedestrian pretty quick. There is an interesting twist I won't spoil that leads to a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. I'm a sucker for a cattle drive and this one delivers big time.Just before the drive starts, as I watched the foreground action, I was thinking it didn't look like 5,000 cattle in the background. The foreground action was a little silly but it's Clark Gable and Robert Ryan so who can complain? Then Raoul Walsh starts putting it together close shot, long shot, cattle coming at you, cattle lumbering away from you, track shots, panning shots. These are not quick cuts trying to trick you into thinking you're seeing something you're not; these are slow cuts beautifully and artistically assembled to give you the breadth and scope required to understand what an undertaking this is going to be. Dozens of vaqueros, several supply wagons, a herd of extra horses, and all those long horn cattle! Really breath taking stuff. At several times I paused the film and every time it looks like a perfectly balanced painting of the old west was on screen.There's a silly romance and trumped up rivalry that doesn't interfere with the real story too much -- and after all, it's Gable and Ryan so it's not painful or embarrassing at all. There's a wonderful line by the Ryan character about the Gable character that goes, "He's what every boy thinks he's going to be when he grows up and wishes he had been when he's an old man." Ryan delivers with such an understated honesty that you truly believe his character would say it and about Gable it would be true.I highly recommend this movie and strongly urge you try to see the wide screen version. While you're being swept along by the story elements, give a thought to the master artist, Raoul Walsh. While singing the praises of John Ford, I always save a chorus for Walsh.

Despite a big name cast - including one of my personal favorites, Robert Ryan, and guidance by experienced director Raoul Walsh, The Tall Men disappoints.Jane Russell seems perplexed by her role which calls for comedic ability the shapely lady lacks. And don't get me started about all of her singing/disrobing. Add to the romantic mix Clark Gable on autopilot.Wasted in limited scenes, Cameron Mitchell and Ryan liven things up a bit but not enough to save The Tall Men. I wonder what happened behind the scenes of this dud Western.