When Shakespeare's "Othello" met the Western movie in 1956 with director Delmer Daves commanding a cast and crew in the Grand Teton Range, the result was "Jubal": a solid, near-perfect gem that benefits enormously from gallant scenery and a plethora of solid performances. It derives from a Paul Wellman novel, about a cow hand who is found on the road by a cattleman. The cattleman hires him on his ranch and later promotes him to foreman, much to the disdain of his best hand and to the pleasure of his unhappy wife, who has taken a shine to the stranger.
The title character is played by Glenn Ford, the same wonderful actor who appeared in such movies as "Gilda," "Cowboy," and "3:10 to Yuma" another Delmer Daves classic. As with all of his performances, Mr. Ford plays his character with a steady, calm, and naturalistic manner. Throughout his career Mr. Ford would tell people that he never really acted; he only played himself. Well, he certainly must have been a real charismatic personality, because that is evident in all his roles, especially in this one. He plays the noble cowboy in a believable, non-hyperbolic manner and that is what, I think, carries the whole movie.
It also benefits from some other very good performances by Ernest Borgnine as the cattleman, the lovely Valerie French as his wife, and Rod Steiger as the jealous ranch hand. Mr. Ford has great interaction with all three of these characters, especially with Ms French. Their scenes together are the best and they do not go in the direction that one expects them to. By doing so, somehow they are more moving and charismatic that if they had taken the conventional route. I won't give away how so; I want you to see for yourself.
The four leads are very good. I've already touched on Mr. Ford. Mr. Borgnine is his usual self, I doubt he ever gave a less-than-satisfactory performance or ever will. Ms French is beautiful but more than scenic in the role of the leading lady. Mr. Steiger is unnerving, just as his role requires him to be. Charles Bronson plays a supporting role that I wish had been larger, but does so with conviction as usual. If there's a weak performance in the movie, it's by Felicia Farr as the rawhider girl who Jubal takes a shine to. But apart from her, you get your money's worth in the acting department.
"Jubal" is not an entirely perfect movie because there are a few supporting roles and story lines that are not as furthered as they should have been, but the movie overall is very beneficial by what it has and is first-class entertainment for Western fans.
The title character is played by Glenn Ford, the same wonderful actor who appeared in such movies as "Gilda," "Cowboy," and "3:10 to Yuma" another Delmer Daves classic. As with all of his performances, Mr. Ford plays his character with a steady, calm, and naturalistic manner. Throughout his career Mr. Ford would tell people that he never really acted; he only played himself. Well, he certainly must have been a real charismatic personality, because that is evident in all his roles, especially in this one. He plays the noble cowboy in a believable, non-hyperbolic manner and that is what, I think, carries the whole movie.
It also benefits from some other very good performances by Ernest Borgnine as the cattleman, the lovely Valerie French as his wife, and Rod Steiger as the jealous ranch hand. Mr. Ford has great interaction with all three of these characters, especially with Ms French. Their scenes together are the best and they do not go in the direction that one expects them to. By doing so, somehow they are more moving and charismatic that if they had taken the conventional route. I won't give away how so; I want you to see for yourself.
The four leads are very good. I've already touched on Mr. Ford. Mr. Borgnine is his usual self, I doubt he ever gave a less-than-satisfactory performance or ever will. Ms French is beautiful but more than scenic in the role of the leading lady. Mr. Steiger is unnerving, just as his role requires him to be. Charles Bronson plays a supporting role that I wish had been larger, but does so with conviction as usual. If there's a weak performance in the movie, it's by Felicia Farr as the rawhider girl who Jubal takes a shine to. But apart from her, you get your money's worth in the acting department.
"Jubal" is not an entirely perfect movie because there are a few supporting roles and story lines that are not as furthered as they should have been, but the movie overall is very beneficial by what it has and is first-class entertainment for Western fans.