Amazon Prime viewers who are lovers of the Western genre could be missing out on a low-key classic. The action-packed film first released in 1956 is now available to watch on the streaming platform and has received top-rated reviews from critics and fans alike. The American Western film titled Rebel in Town was directed by Alfred L. Werker and stars John Payne, Ruth Roman, J. Carrol Naish and Ben Cooper.
After the Civil War, Bedloe Mason and his four sons ride into an Arizona outpost after robbing a bank. When they hear a gun go off behind them, one son immediately turns around and shoots to kill. But his victim turns out to be a young boy with a toy gun, so the Masons hightail it out of town, save for Bedloe’s son Gray, who feels guilty and stays to see the kid buried. Yet Gray’s presence only stirs up more trouble as the child’s father, John, looks for violent revenge.
Although a black and white B movie, Western enthusiasts have continued to express their admiration for film which brought “tears” to many viewers.
One fan gushed: “One of the best westerns I have ever seen,” while another agreed: “A really good one right. Suspenseful. I highly recommend it.”
A third penned: “This one did not disappoint. A unique storyline, strong family ties by both the Willoughbys and the Masons provided a solid story with the ending not obvious. I enjoyed this film and was surprised by how it moved me.
I was impressed by the writer who came up with this idea. Rather than routine shoot ’em ups, we got a psychological story with enough going on to hold the viewer’s interest without multiple scenes of B movie Western action.”
A fourth added: “What a tremendous little western, very unusual, far from clichés, a film noir in the western. Excellent characters study, analysis and helped by a jaw dropping photography.
Yes, Alfred Werker proves with this film that, during the end of his career, he was a terrific western maker, as much as a Budd Boetticher in his westerns starring Randolph Scott. Don’t forget that Alfred Werker was not a western specialist and was also a veteran in the business. And John Payne as impressive here as he was in Phil Karlson’s 99 RIVER STREET. Some awesome scenes, very brutal for the period.
This little western is underrated, and should be far better known.”