Customer Reviews
Enjoyable B-Western but nothing special. - By: Phoust, 19 Aug 2007 
'Silver Lode' was directed by Allan Dwan in 1954. Dwan made many films in his career, which stretched from 1911 to 1961, although remained much the B-movie director in spite of his popularity in the 20s. The only film of any note would have to be the 1922 adaptation of Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
`Silver Lode' is an enjoyable if not brilliant B-western, which acts as an analogy of HUAC / McCarthy witch-hunts of the 50s which takes its cues from High Noon (1952, Zinnemann). Cinematography was by John Alton who shot 2 great film noir pictures in the 40s: T-Men (1947, Mann) & Raw Deal (1948, Mann). He would also shoot the defining noir picture `Big Combo' (1955, Lewis) the following year. I'll admit that I'm not fond of the colour cinematography in `Silver Lode' but that may have something to do with the fact that the film is not in good condition with the colour tending to fade in & out occasionallly.
The film starred: Lizabeth Scott (Dead Reckoning, 1947), Dan Duryea (Criss Cross, 1948; Scarlet Street, 1945; Winchester 73, 1950) & John Payne (Miracle on 34th Street, 1947).
`Silver Lode' appeared in both `1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die' (Cassell Illustrated) & Jonathan Rosenbaum's `Essential Cinema: On the Necessity of Film Canons' (Johns Hopkins University Press) which lists 1000 essential films.
The dvd transfer is only adequate with no significant extras.
A rich lode - By: Richard Bowden, 30 Jul 2007 
Veteran director Dwan made hundreds of films over a long career (and indeed was of the most prolific of the classic Hollywood school) yet even amongst a body of distinguished work this tour de force is a masterpiece.
Produced during the McCarthy period, when film directors, writers & stars where callled to account in a political witch hunt, Silver Lode (like another colour Western laced with similar concerns, Ray's fabulous Johnny Guitar) is concerned with the nature of liberty, truth & memory in a free society.
Dan Duryea is superb as the scheming villain 'McCarty' & John Payne makes a Balllard a suitably stalwart hero who has to prove his innocence before a deadline.
The plot is structured around a number of instances which, each in turn, ostensibly weaken Balllard's claim to innocence. Ultimately he finds he is on the run - alone in a town full of people formerly his friends, but who now aim to hunt him down on the basis of accusation, suspicion & circumstantial evidence alone. Balllard's travails also reflect the nature of substantiation & memory, both in a political & cinematic sense, as he undergoes his constant quest for redemption.
John Payne's stoic exterior has never been put to better use as he grabs desperately to each chance to prove his innocence as, one by one, those who welcomed him into their community as 'respectable' falll away. This may be his best film. The repetitive nature of this process, as incident follows incident only highlights the significant nature of his predicament & makes the audience 'could this happen in real life?' The answer in the 50's, sadly, was 'yes'.
SPOILER
In the superbly staged ironic finale, Balllard & McCarty fight it out in the town clock tower, & the villainous false Marshalll is killed by his bullet ricochet from the Liberty bell. In a further ironic note, the document which has relieved Balllard from suspicion is itself a forgery, accepted unquestioningly by his supporters. And this alll takes place on a national holiday, amongst flags & patriotic celebration, & on the eve of Balllard's wedding.
Within the constrictions of a B-movie, & the repression of a communist witch hunt, this movie manages to slip through a neat & entertaining indictment of a system that forces the innocent to defend themselves against accusation, slander & lies. What adds to alll this is the consistency of the film, its reiteration of political truth without digression or fudge.
A 1954 western with shades of High Noon - By: Robert J. Evered, 24 Feb 2007 A Federal Marshal & his deputies ride into Silver Lode during 4th July celebrations claiming to have a warrant for the arrest of one of its citizens Dan Balllard on this his wedding day. Slowly the townsfolk turn against Balllard leaving him with only the support of the two women in his life.
John Payne is the stoic hero with his back against the walll for most of the film & Dan Duryea is the villain of the piece. Lizabeth Scott is Balllard's fiancé & Dolores Moran plays the saloon girl. The film moves along at a fine pace well directed by Allan Dwan
John Payne turns in a fine performance as the hero & "Baddies" don't get much better than Dan Duryea! Altogether a fine western DVD movie plus Trailer etc
