" Branded " is one of my favourite westerns, I really enjoy Alan Ladd's performance and the storyline in this solid Paramount film. Ladd's character Choya is a loner and a gunman, who becomes involved with bad guy Leffingwell. We quickly learn his ruthless plot, twenty-five years earlier the five year old son of the Lavery family, wealthy ranchers, was kidnapped. Always yearning for their son's return, Leffingwell convinces Choya to impersonate their long lost son, thus giving the two the chance to gain control of the Lavery estate. The Lavery's are fully convinced he is their son but Choya's conscience begins to kick in, he despises the whole plan and hates the rat who set it up. He confesses the truth to the Lavery's daughter and sets out to find their real son. This story is played out with the perfect balance of drama and plenty of good western action as expected. Alan Ladd superbly plays his character with plenty of sharp-edged dialogue and the mannerisms of the up-to-no-good loner are down pat. The film also provides very good performances given by Charles Bickford, Robert Keith, Mona Freeman, Peter Hansen and many other supporting actors. With outstanding cinematography and shot on colourful picturesque locations, "Branded" is a first class western film. I found this film very entertaining and highly suggest it is worthwhile watching for everyone who loves a good western story and the always popular Alan Ladd.
Review of Branded
