Watch The Hangman

The Hangman is a classic Western movie from 1959 directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Robert Taylor, Tina Louise, and Fess Parker. The film follows the story of Mackenzie Bovard (Robert Taylor), a professional hangman who has executed more than 300 criminals in his career. When he is hired by Sheriff Buck Weston (Fess Parker) to execute a murderer named Johnny Bishop (Jack Lord), Mackenzie discovers that Bishop may be innocent and starts questioning his own role in the justice system.

The movie opens with Mackenzie arriving in the town of Cottonwood to carry out the execution of Johnny Bishop, who has been accused of murdering a local woman. Mackenzie is a stoic and methodical man, who takes his job very seriously and believes that justice must be served. He is accompanied by his assistant, the young and inexperienced Selah Jennison (Tina Louise), who admires and respects him but is troubled by the idea of taking another person's life.

As Mackenzie prepares for the execution, he starts to have doubts about Bishop's guilt. He realizes that there are inconsistencies in the case and that Bishop may have been framed by the real murderer, who is still at large. Mackenzie shares his concerns with Selah, who urges him to reconsider the execution and investigate further. Mackenzie tells Sheriff Weston about his doubts, but Weston is reluctant to reopen the case and believes that Bishop must be guilty.

As Mackenzie gets closer to the truth, he becomes increasingly conflicted about his role as a hangman. He starts to question whether he is serving justice or just carrying out the orders of those in power. He also develops a romantic interest in Selah, but is hesitant to pursue it because of their different backgrounds and his own inner turmoil.

The tension in the film builds up as Mackenzie tries to uncover the real murderer and save Bishop's life. He faces opposition from the townspeople, who are convinced of Bishop's guilt and see him as a threat. Mackenzie also has to deal with his own demons and the fear of losing his job and reputation if he goes against the law.

The Hangman is a well-crafted and engaging Western movie that explores themes of justice, morality, and redemption. The characters are complex and multidimensional, and the performances by Robert Taylor, Tina Louise, and Fess Parker are excellent. The cinematography captures the rugged beauty of the West and the tension and drama of the story.

Overall, The Hangman is a must-see for fans of classic Westerns and anyone who enjoys a good story with a strong moral message. It is a thought-provoking and entertaining movie with a timeless appeal.

The Hangman is a 1959 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.