After a sinister gang of nine men accuse former Marshal Jed Cooper (Clint Eastwood) of killing a rancher that owned the cattle he was transporting, they leave Cooper hanging from a tree and close to death. Upon being rescued and brought to Fort Smith, his innocence is eventually proven and Judge Fenton (Pat Hingle) invites Cooper to once again become a lawman and implement stricter rules and regulations in the area – a task Cooper is happy to take with the nine men that tried to take his life firmly in his sights. A really enjoyable and effective tale of revenge.

Director: Ted Post
Writers: Leonard Freeman, Mel Goldberg
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Pat Hingle, Inger Stevens

Directed by Ted Post and written by Leonard Freeman and Mel Goldberg, Hang ‘Em High was released to audiences in 1968. This particularly strong American western benefits greatly from an engaging storyline and well-executed revenge driver plot. The filmmakers waste very little time getting into the action, with some extremely fast pacing within the opening stages of the flick.

An interesting aspect of Hang ’Em High is the brutality of some of the action-based scenes throughout the one-hundred and fourteen minute runtime. These scenes receive considerable attention and encourage the viewer to question the ethics of such punishments, with some going beyond the usual action and gunplay scenes, often found in American westerns.

As with many American westerns of this era, the costume and set design are both noteworthy, helping to create an authentic and convincing setting throughout. The traditional Western surroundings complement the story particularly well, while the overall production maintains a familiar and appealing style. There is also a romantic subplot involving two of the main characters, although this takes something of a back seat to the central revenge storyline.

In terms of the cast, Clint Eastwood delivers exactly the kind of performance expected from the actor, providing a suitably convincing portrayal of Jed Cooper. His calm demeanour and commanding presence make him a natural fit for the role of a US Marshal, while his performance helps carry much of the picture. Pat Hingle is also noteworthy as Judge Fenton.

All in all, Hang ’Em High is a highly enjoyable American western that benefits from its straightforward storyline, strong central performance and interesting take on justice and revenge. The picture also features some memorable scenes and an authentic production that fits the genre particularly well. A fine example of the classic American western, and well worth a watch for fans of the genre or Clint Eastwood in particular.

“Here, if that hanging rope didn’t kill you, maybe my coffee will.”

Judge Fenton – Hang ‘Em High