Without question, this is an excellent movie. HOWEVER, there is a lesser known version that is also excellent, the 1936 version with a stellar cast. The beautiful Irene Hervey, excellent casting by using Lewis Stone (best known for his role as Judge James Hardy in their Andy Hardy film series) as one of the three bank robbers, Walter Brennan (perfect in this and his other movies) and Chester Morris. I sent the 1936 version on DVD to my brother in law as my sister said not to bother, since he considered himself the western hemispheres expert on 3 Godfathers (1948) and knew nothing of the previous version. He watched the 1936 version and was blown away!
I have seen the '36 version and its pretty good. I'm more partial the Duke but the '36 version certainly has better character dynamics. There is also a 1931 version called Hell's Heroes. It has more salt and grit than the '36 version. The story much beloved, like Shepherd of the Hills. But it seems to have recessed a bit over time. There are at least 3 Silent film versions as well but those are now lost to time. In '71 there was another version called The Godson with Jack Palance.
@@jjrbarnett Excellent observation about the character dynamics. The Duke is the King! And I prefer him over Chester Morris, even though Morris had a good performance. This version also has the benefit of being in color, which the 1936 version wasn't and that matters to many people (like my wife) that won't watch - if they can help it - a B&W movie.
@@jjrbarnett BTW - the 1936 version is up on RU-vid now. Maybe 12 years ago, I bought it on DVD from a company on the internet after "discovering" it on TBS I think and wanted to watch it again.
