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Best of the Badmen

Released Aug 9, 1951 1h 24m Western List
Reviews 23% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings
After the North defeats the South, Union Maj. Jeff Clanton (Robert Ryan) heads to Missouri to provide the Confederacy's Quantrill's Raiders a chance to claim allegiance to the Union, thereby clearing their wanted status. But standing in Clanton's way are the corrupt lawmen Joad (Barton MacLane) and Fowler (Robert Preston), who would rather keep the men outlaws to collect the reward on their heads. After Joad and Fowler frame Clanton for murder, he manages to escape, becoming an outlaw himself. Read More Read Less
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Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The only thing this routine Western has going for it is a good cast. Rated: C+ Sep 3, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D A lot of talent here but it is wasted, Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/03/24 Full Review Audience Member a good western a little comedy and best of all nice horses to. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Unspectacular but solid western headed by the always reliable Robert Ryan who plays a union soldier at the end of the Civil War who is looking to pardon the James/Younger Gang if they'll swear allegiance to The Union. However, crooked sheriff Robert Preston would rather bring them in for a reward and has Ryan arrested. Ryan and the James/Younger gang then go about getting their revenge on the smarmy Preston. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member another good "psychological' western Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Quantrill Raiders Ride Again--Enjoyable B-western given Grade A trimmings and a good cast... Another great RKO western!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Run of the mill western enlivened by pros Robert Ryan and Claire Trevor. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis After the North defeats the South, Union Maj. Jeff Clanton (Robert Ryan) heads to Missouri to provide the Confederacy's Quantrill's Raiders a chance to claim allegiance to the Union, thereby clearing their wanted status. But standing in Clanton's way are the corrupt lawmen Joad (Barton MacLane) and Fowler (Robert Preston), who would rather keep the men outlaws to collect the reward on their heads. After Joad and Fowler frame Clanton for murder, he manages to escape, becoming an outlaw himself.
Director
William D. Russell
Producer
Herman Schlom
Screenwriter
Robert Hardy Andrews, John Twist
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 9, 1951, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 31, 2009
Runtime
1h 24m
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