Johnny Guitar

Joan Crawford stars as Vienna, a saloon owner on the outskirts of a small western town, where the impending arrival of the railroad promises to turn the settlement into a booming hub. A wealthy rancher and a local banker, eager to seize her land, conspire to drive Vienna out of business. When a stagecoach is robbed and the banker’s brother is killed, they falsely accuse Vienna’s lover of the crime. Desperate, Vienna turns to her former lover, Johnny (Sterling Hayden), a reformed gunslinger turned guitarist, for help. Directed by Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without a Cause), this stylish western is a masterclass in film acting and cinematic flair, with Crawford and Hayden delivering unforgettable performances. The dialogue here is almost poetic, with raw emotions propelling the story forward. Crawford purchased the rights to the story and reworked the script to enhance her character, making Vienna the central and nuanced figure in this gripping tale.

Dominika Prejdová