bellino-angelo2014 The reason that led me to watch this movie is because it's listed in the book ''The 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die'', and in the end it was worth-watching!This Western follows the footsteps of ''High Noon''; here John Payne plays Dan Ballard, a man arrested by four marshals for a murder he didn't commit, and while he struggles to find the real culprit the townspeople start leaving him to his destiny. The only ones on his side are his soon-to-be-wife Rose (Lizabeth Scott) and saloon lady Dolly (Dolores Moran). The things I liked about the movie are the music and the supporting cast: Dan Duryea shines as the evil sheriff McCarthy (that was a subtle reference to Joseph McCarthy) and in the end is killed by Payne in the church of Silver Lode; Stuart Whitman, Alan Hale jr. and Harry Carey jr. are great as the sheriff's henchmen, and they were specialized in Western movies.Still a well-made Western and I liked it very much.

Dalbert Pringle Released in 1954 - Silver Lode stands tall as a pretty decent Western in its own right. True. Its familiar story can easily be compared to "High Noon" in many ways, but, nevertheless, it is an entertaining cowboy flick, all the same.Filmed with the obvious restrictions of its B-movie budget, this vintage, Technicolor Western tells the tale of Dan Ballard, a decent man (relatively new to town) who (on his wedding day, which also happens to be the 4th of July) finds himself being accused of cold-blooded murder and the theft of $20,000.This unjust accusation is leveled at Ballard by Marshal McCarty, a very mean and forceful lawman, who unexpectedly arrives in town from Discovery, California, in the company of his 3 rough-looking deputies.Needless to say, an intense conflict takes place that quickly escalates into an all-out gunfight which has almost every able-bodied man in town involved (and even some of the women).With his life now hanging delicately in the balance, Ballard soon finds himself a hunted man in his own hometown. A vicious, mindless mob-mentality takes over as the citizens of Silver Lode pursue Ballard with a blind, hateful vengeance.Silver Lode was a film that was very much a product of its time. It was produced during the "McCarthy" era, when film producers, writers and actors were called to account during a (literal) political witch hunt.This film's screenplay reflects the concerns of the American people of that time in regards to matters such as truth and liberty in what they believed to be a free society.With a running time of only 80 minutes, Silver Lode moved along at a really good clip. Its cast included John Payne, Dan Duryea, Harry Carey Jr., and Lizabeth Scott.

Sean Morrow Dan Duryea is the reason I decided to watch this western and he is wonderful but far from the only reason I rate the movie an 8. The action starts with Dan and three other riders (Harry Carey Jr and Alan Hale Jr for gosh sakes... you know you're in for a good time) riding into the town of Silver Lode on forth of July. They're looking for the man named "Dan Ballard" but everyone they ask gives them the cold shoulder, one remarks they know a gunfighter when they see one. Turns out Dan is a federal marshal named Ned McCarty (other reviews have noted the McCarthy similarity and I agree with them on that) come to take Ballard -- solidly played by John Payne -- prisoner back to California for a murder rap. The victim is, it turns out, McCarty's brother and there is also a matter of $20,000 stolen at the same time.At first the town's people are solidly behind Ballard but gradually they come around to bow McCarty's assumed authority and turn against Ballard. This is done rather well, not nearly as heavy handedly as might be. Many reviewers have noted the similarity to "High Noon", it's sort of a "High Noon" in reverse. While that's mighty high company the comparison is not out of line and the wonderful direction of Allan Dwan makes up for the lower production values. This is a good story, well made and worth looking for.

Robin Moss Although contrived and schematic, and an obvious attack on McCarthyism, "Silver Lode" is well structured for the first two thirds of the movie. Unfortunately the plot and moral vigour collapse in the final third.As in the similarly themed "High Noon", a man's wedding day is ruined by the arrival in town of an old enemy. The enemy, Ned McCarthy, claims to be a U. S.Marshal with a warrant for Dan Ballard's arrest for murder. Dan is supported by the town's people and he is given two hours to find a legal defence. Everything goes wrong, and bit by bit people lose faith in him. Eventually he is found with two guns in his hands and three dead bodies at his feet. The implication is obvious, and every-one except an old flame and his new fiancée leaps to the wrong conclusion. From this point onwards, the story is a mess.Dan goes on the the run, but it is not clear what he is trying to achieve, what information he is looking for. He kills not only McCarthy's henchmen, but also local people who are doing what they believe is their civic duty. Yet, when at the last minute, the truth is revealed, "Silver Lode" seems to suggest that everything is now fine - except that the town's people are all fickle vermin - and that it does not matter that innocent people have been killed.The blanket condemnation of the local people is a ludicrous over-simplification and over-generalisation. Even "High Noon" was more tolerant than this. (If a man is found with guns in his hand and is surrounded by dead bodies, it is not unreasonable that people assume he killed them). "Silver Lode" would have been a better film if the plotting in the last third had been more skillful, and had eliminated the killing of innocent people. It would also have been more interesting if the fiancée had been one of those who lose faith in Dan, and if an embittered Dan had left town at the end with his old flame.It would be quite easy to remake "Silver Lode" with substantial improvements.