“Devil’s Doorway” centers on Lance Poole (Robert Taylor), a Shoshone Civil War veteran who returns to his Wyoming homeland with hopes of living peacefully. Despite his service and valor, Lance finds himself embroiled in a battle against local settlers and corrupt legal systems that seek to strip him of his land. With the assistance of sympathetic lawyer Orrie Masters (Paula Raymond), Lance navigates a treacherous landscape of racial prejudice and frontier justice.
As tensions escalate, Lance’s struggle becomes a symbol of the broader plight faced by Native Americans during this era. The film’s narrative unfolds with a mix of personal drama and broader social commentary, culminating in a powerful and poignant climax.
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Devil’s Doorway is still lower end Mann
Released in 1950, Anthony Mann’s “Devil’s Doorway” is a seminal Western that boldly confronts themes of racism and injustice in the American frontier. Starring Robert Taylor as a Native American war hero facing prejudice and systemic oppression upon returning home, the film was groundbreaking in its depiction of Native American struggles during a period when Westerns typically glorified white settlers and marginalized indigenous people.
Dig that Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor’s portrayal of Lance Poole is both dignified and deeply moving. As a character, Lance embodies the conflict between his identity as a war hero and the racial discrimination he faces. Taylor’s performance captures Lance’s strength, honor, and the internal conflict of a man fighting for justice in an unjust society.
The movie looks great
The cinematography of “Devil’s Doorway,” led by John Alton, is a standout feature of the film. Alton’s use of stark black-and-white photography enhances the thematic weight of the narrative, creating a visual contrast that underscores the moral dichotomies at play. The landscapes are captured with a raw beauty that juxtaposes the harsh realities faced by the characters, making the environment almost a character in itself.
The visual style employs high-contrast lighting and deep shadows, lending a noir-like quality to the Western genre. This stylistic choice not only emphasizes the tension and drama but also reflects the film’s exploration of darker themes such as racism and injustice.
Let’s talk about that Warner Archive Blu-ray
The Devil’s Doorway Blu-ray from Warner Archive comes with a handful of special features. You get some classic cartoons and a trailer. I would have loved a commentary, but I know the economics of modern disc releases. Maybe some Mann scholar will put one up on YouTube or something.
