The Hanging Tree
The Hanging Tree

The Hanging Tree

1959Movie107 minEnglish

Joseph "Doc" Frail is a doctor with a past he's trying to outrun. While in Montana, he comes across a mining camp with a hanging tree and rescues a man named Rune from the noose. With Rune as his servant, Frail decides to settle down, and he takes over as town doctor. He meets Elizabeth, who is suffering from shock, and the two soon fall in love. But when Elizabeth is attacked, Frail's attempt to help her lands them both in trouble.

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IMDb6.5/10
Director: Delmer DavesGenres: Western, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Dr. Joseph Frail, a guilt-ridden and cynical doctor, wanders into the lawless frontier town ofttes, seeking refuge from his past. He becomes involved with Elizabeth Mahler, a beautiful but troubled woman, and soon finds himself entangled in the town's volatile mix of greed, desperation, and violence. As Frail tries to heal the physical and emotional wounds of the townsfolk, he must also confront his own demons and decide whether he can find redemption in this harsh new world.

Critical Reception

The Hanging Tree received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised Gary Cooper's performance and the film's dramatic themes, though some found its pacing to be slow. Audiences generally responded well to its blend of Western action and character-driven drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Gary Cooper's compelling performance as a troubled doctor.
  • Acknowledged for its exploration of moral ambiguity and redemption in a Western setting.
  • Some critics noted the film's deliberate pacing and melodramatic elements.

Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this older film, making it difficult to summarize specific audience sentiments.

Fun Fact

The distinctive name of the film comes from a real tree in Wenatchee, Washington, known as the 'Hanging Tree', where a notorious outlaw was once executed.

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TMDB Reviews

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Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Ahead-of-its-time Western with Gary Cooper, set in the Great Northwest_** In 1873, an embittered doctor (Cooper) sets up practice in a small gold mining town along The Montana Trail. After acquiring a dubious bondservant (Ben Piazza),...