The Hanging Tree

Dvd arrived in timely manner and in great condition

Great Gary Cooper flick.

There's already a number of reviews on this film so I'll try to avoid repeating what others have already covered. There are, however, two points I'd like to address.To begin with, I always thought of "The Hanging Tree" as being very similar to "Chinatown". Both films are similar in plot (they each deal with a haunted man unable to be free from the scars of his past) and in execution (both feature a great cast, a crisp script, gorgeous cinematography and an unusually good score). They're also quite similar in the abstract, each acknowledging the evil in the world and the importance of having one's own "honor code" to deal with it. They part company, however, when "Chinatown" goes one step further.The second point I'd like to cover is a bit disturbing and cast suspicion over the credibility of internet sites. If one were to look up "The Hanging Tree" on Wikipedia, IMBD or even the WB site, there's disturbing language alleging that the movie is about the attempt by one man (Gary Cooper as Joseph Frail) to "manipulate" or "control" others. When one reads "user reviews" like this one, however, and regardless of the site, no such assessment appears. So, I wish there was a way to speak to the person responsible for the error and set him or her straight. I have to wonder at why the person would be so wrong, or if he or she has even seen this movie in the first place. By any means, trying to apply 21st Century morays to a 19th Century western mining camp would be somewhat silly. True, Joseph Frail is much darker role for Gary Cooper but this only shows the actor's range. What happens in the early sequence, perhaps leading to the reveiwer's error, is that Dr. Frail takes in a proud and headstrong youth named Rune and gives him a place to stay and something to do with his time other than robbing another man's sluice box. This act, which most likely keeps Rune alive, is done in a way that doesn't force him to accept charity. Then with Elizabeth, Frail does try to push her away but the motive is not to control her but to avoid the pain he feared if he allowed himself to love her. Were Frail's goals with both Rune and Elizabeth merely to control or manipulate them he would never have tossed Frenchy's bullet away nor have tried to help Elizabeth anonymously. So, "professional reviewer" wherever you are, you were absolutely wrong about this movie and it angers me that your errant assessment might cause somone to miss seeing it.This is a thoughtful person's western with a lot of memorable scenes. The one with villains Frenchy, Grubb and Society Red standing in the street and staring so hatefully at Joe Frail as he rides away from the saloon is certainly one of them. So too are the times Elizabeth fights back against Frail. If you haven't seen it and consider yourself a connoisseur of great films, please consider adding this to your watch list.

I have not seen this movie in years. Great story and colorful scenes. One of the best with great actors.

I grew up during the last part of our love affair with the Western in the movies and on the idiot box. The first western I ever saw was a re-release of "High Noon" at a drive-in in Florida when I was 5 years old, and I was already watching cowboys in old movies on our first tv when "Gunsmoke" premiered in '55. So it's surprising that I had never seen this movie. I was aware of it, however, because I can remember a Saturday at the movies in '59 when the previews/coming attractions included the trailer for this movie. Fast forward to recently when, thanks to Netflix and other sources, I have been revisiting some of my favorites from long ago. IMDB I came across "The Hanging Tree" on a list of Gary Cooper movies when I realized I had never seen it. It was not available on Netflix so I tried my old standby, Amazon and found it was about to be released finally and was only to happy to order it. Apparently the only copy of the negative had some damage and in a very few places that is evident in the transfer, but by and large this is a gorgeously filmed movie with some very good acting and a story worth your time. Gary Cooper is outstanding and Karl Malden is excellent as "Frenchie". Other than Ben Piazza all the actors produce fine performances. It's one of Coopers' last movies (he released 3 movies in 1959, plus did a cameo in one other; and his last movie was 1961's "The Naked Edge"), and I am glad I finally got to see it. An enjoyable movie and a great example of the genre. Well worth the price.

I was fortunate to be able to visit the movie set when this was being filmed. I was young and just blown away to be able to see everything that is in the movie. It is not the typical shooting and killing movie.

I'll never forget watching this movie when it first came out. I was just a few months shy of my 11th birthday. I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas in the 1950's and westerns were my favorite movies. I went into the old Varsity Theatre and everybody was sitting and talking, and then the lights were turned down and it got real quiet. Then, as the opening scene appeared on the screen, the title song began, and it was so captivating, everybody in the theatre began clapping to the beat. I will never forget sitting there listening to that FABULOUS title song sung by Marty Robbins and everybody clapping to the beat.The movie itself, in my opinion, never got the recognition it deserved. The snow-capped peaks, the crystal-clear mountain streams, and lush green pine trees form a beautiful and majestic backdrop to the film's story. Gary Cooper, Karl Malden, Maria Schell, and Ben Piazza were all superb in acting out their respective roles. The music was also excellent, and at times, hauntingly beautiful. I would like to find the exact spot where "Skull Creek" was located, using Google satellite. I read somewhere that it is 35 miles west of Yakima, WA, and also read that it's in the "Oak Creek Wildlife Area," and in the "Ahtanum and Nile Valleys." That's not what I call an exact spot. If anyone knows the longitude & latitude coordinates of where the movie was filmed, would you please post them.Like so many others, I waited for years for this movie to come out on dvd. I finally found it on Warner Bros. website and ordered it directly from them. So thankful I've got it on dvd now!

The DVD took a while to arrive, but was worth the wait, it arrived in excellent good condition.I have waited a long time to get this film, due to the film being restored, it was worth the wait, the picture quality is crisp, and more than shows off the beautiful location.I think the restorers did a fine job.In my opinion one of Gary Coopers finest films, If you are a Gary Cooper fan and never watched this movie I urge you to do so. I have watched this film many times and never tire of it.

Very nice old movie

A fantastic classic western film that has stood the test of time. Gary Cooper was one of the greatest actors of his day & this film is a perfect example of his craft. The supporting cast are all first rate actors, the setting in a mining camp not the normal background for a tale of love and redemption, with plenty of action.

brilliant film superb acting by all excellent picture quality. Graham.

Just received my dvd fast delivery very happy great copy ,thanks.