Though in many ways a traditional western, Levin's (Journey to the Center of the Earth, 1959) The Man From Colorado is also a psychological drama dealing with something as ever current as post traumatic stress. In a western there is almost bound to be a bad guy to stand against the good guy and it definitely makes for a more dramatic story that the two are good friends torn apart by the psychological destruction of one of them. No matter how bad decisions Owen makes, it is difficult to hate him, because Del never lets us forget that his friend is different and clearly affected by the war they have recently fought together. Both men does a good job, Holden (The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957) is so handsome he can only be the good guy, playing his part straight and as righteous while never loosing sympathy with his friend. No matter what happens, he fights till the end to try to do things right. Meanwhile Ford (3:10 to Yuma, 1957) is the one who truly impresses with his portray of a man looking quiet on the outside but who clearly has raving emotions stirring a chaos inside of him. Though he is aware he has become addicted to killing he finds himself unable to admit he has lost control or face the problem and part of the drama is to watch him slowly push himself further and further down. As the woman standing between the two men is a beautiful Drew (Isle of the Dead, 1945) convincingly going from carefree and happy to heartbreakingly realizing what's going on. The three of them make for an interesting watch that keeps you gripped until the dramatic ending.moviegeek.eu

Fine psychological western filmed in Technicolor. Glenn Ford plays a colonel in the Union Army driven insane by his experiences in the Civil War. After the war is over he accepts a federal judgeship and appoints his friend William Holden as marshal. As a judge, Ford continues to be as sadistic and cruel as he was during the war. Holden realizes he has to stop him. Ellen Drew plays the woman torn between the two men. Ford and Holden are solid. Looks good, particularly the location shooting. Mature themes will please many who don't normally care for older westerns. Never quite 'pops' the way you want it to but it's entertaining nonetheless.

Henry Levin's post-Civil War western, shot in Techincolor, features real-life best friends Glenn Ford and William Holden (both RIP) as former Union officers who find themselves on opposite sides after Owen Devereaux (Ford) becomes town judge, and who begins to abuse his power to punish anyone who opposes him. Del Stewart (Holden) is made town marshal but he sees that his friend is slipping more and more into insanity (which today would be referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), brought on by his experiences during the war. Enemy lines are drawn more strongly as Devereaux marries Carolyn (Ellen Drew), with whom Stewart is also in love. As Owen's mind deteriorates and his madness intensifies, the town is thrown into a uproar and his sadistic, murderous tendencies only grow. Of course, there has to be a showdown that only one man can win.Ford's son has referred to this film as "an oddball production", perhaps because it was a rarity of the time, a psychological western. As offbeat of a role this was for Ford (similar to his Don Jose in "The Loves Of Carmen" of the same year, he sports the same longer hairstyle, but the gray on his temples here doesn't quite give the distinguished effect that was intended), he portrays a tortured, jealous man quite well, never more evident in the scenes paranoia sets in, thinking that his wife loves Del and not him. Ellen Drew is effective in her role, although I find her much easier to believe as Holden's love interest, but after seeing Ford with Rita Hayworth, the chemistry would be hard to compare. Different but compellingly watchable, and interesting to see these lifelong friends on screen together for the second and last time (they previously costarred in "Texas", in 1941), in another worthy addition to the Columbia Classics collection. With the recent passing of Glenn Ford, this is another film that adds richness and variety to his legacy.

Saw the complete version on Encore West last nite; I was disappointed. Despite the presence of two great stars in Glenn Ford (3:10 from Yuma) and William Holden (Wild Bunch/Stalag 17) the film is far from a classic. It starts out with great potential as a battle fatigued Colonel Owen Devereaux played by Ford massacres a 100 troop Confederate party (they have plainly raised their white flag)just as the Civil War ends. Captain Del Stewart played by Holden - looking more the Hollywood golden boy than a war weary officer, immediately deduces that Ford has massacred the troop. He is a loyal long time friend and keeps his powder (and makeup) dry. After being mustered out (with little time to ketchup with their mutual girlfriend) Ford gets appointed a Federal Judge ( Owen to the lack of any sanity clause in his commission) and Holden is named US Marshal. The first trial he presides over is one of the film's better scenes and shows how following the law doesn't always result in justice.Ford continues to slip deeper into insanity. He's a hangin judge you don't want to hang with. So what is the film's point? There was no hint of is illness to anyone but Holden before his high appointment so I'm lost as to the film's message. Power can corrupt, but Ford is not corrupt; the war has simply driven him mad. He must kill anyone who threatens him. He is not portrayed as a tragic figure.Look for Edgar Buchanan on leave from the Shadyrest playing the town doc and Ford's uncle. Perhaps a six month tour of Petticoat Junction would have been all Ford needed. I've enjoyed Holden in lots of flicks, but the guy's just too handsome and cleancut to be one day ex-military. He reminds me of the US interim provost in Iraq- Paul Bremer . The guy's clothes, beard and hair were always perfect while Iraq burned