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Branded is a 1950 Western film directed by Rudolph Maté and starring Alan Ladd, Mona Freeman, and Charles Bickford. The story revolves around a cowboy named Choya (Alan Ladd) who is accused of stealing horses from a wealthy rancher named Señora de la O (Mona Freeman). Choya is forced to flee from the ranch, but he is determined to clear his name and bring the real horse thieves to justice.

The film opens with Choya arriving in a small town in the middle of nowhere. He is looking for work as a cowboy and receives a job offer from Señora de la O, who needs someone to help her with her horses. Choya accepts the offer, but he quickly realizes that he is not welcome on the ranch. The other cowboys and the foreman, Lefty (Charles Bickford), are suspicious of him and treat him with hostility. Choya also finds out that Señora de la O is engaged to a wealthy landowner named Marston (Robert Keith), who is rumored to have ties to the criminal underworld.

One day, Choya discovers that some horses on the ranch have been stolen. He investigates the matter and finds a group of thieves who are responsible for the theft. However, when he tries to report the crime to Señora de la O and Lefty, they accuse him of being the thief and brand him with a hot iron. This leaves him with a permanent mark of shame and forces him to flee from the ranch.

Choya becomes a wanted man and is pursued by the sheriff and his posse. He decides to seek refuge in a nearby town where he meets a saloon girl named Ruth (Mona Freeman), who is secretly in love with him. Together, they hatch a plan to clear Choya's name and punish the real horse thieves. Their plan involves infiltrating Marston's gang, which is responsible for a string of horse thefts throughout the region.

Branded is a classic Western film that explores themes of injustice, redemption, and the struggle for survival in the harsh frontier. The film is notable for its strong performances, gritty realism, and stunning cinematography. Alan Ladd is outstanding as Choya, the stoic and silent cowboy who is determined to clear his name and restore his honor. Mona Freeman is also excellent as Ruth, the tough and resourceful saloon girl who helps him in his quest.

Charles Bickford is superb as Lefty, the hardboiled foreman who embodies the ruthless and unforgiving nature of the Wild West. His character is a complex blend of menace, loyalty, and regret, and he provides a compelling foil to Choya's heroism. The supporting cast is also excellent, with solid performances by Robert Keith, Joseph Calleia, and Peter Hansen.

Overall, Branded is a must-see for fans of classic Westerns and film noir. It is a gripping and suspenseful tale of honor and revenge in the Old West, and it showcases some of the finest talents of its era. Whether you are a fan of Alan Ladd, Mona Freeman, or Charles Bickford, you will find something to love in this timeless and unforgettable film.

Branded is a 1950 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.