BelSports
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Janae Milner
Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.
Matylda Swan
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
Michael O'Keefe
One of the better westerns from RKO Radio Pictures. Credit director Robert Wise for this sagebrush classic starring Robert Mitchum as a lonely drifter named Jim Garry, who gets involved with a fast talking friend, Tate Riling (Robert Preston), as a conflict between cattleman and homesteaders is warming up. Of course, Riling always has a way of getting in the middle of shady schemes involving underhanded money. Garry meets a cattle owner John Lufton (Tom Tully), who's attitude grows hostile after suspecting that his new friend is in cahoots with Riling trying to get his herd for cheap. This black and white western is based on a novel by Luke Short and is filmed in the scenic area of Sedona, Arizona at Red Rock Crossing. BLOOD on the MOON will bring back memories of Saturday afternoons at the movies.A star filled cast is rounded out with: Barbara Bel Geddes, Frank Faylen, Walter Brennan, Phyliss Thaxter, Harry Carey, Jr., Charles McGraw and Iron Eyes Cody.
utgard14
Cowboy Robert Mitchum comes to help old friend Robert Preston, only to find himself in the middle of a war between Preston and rancher Tom Tully. He soon realizes his buddy might not be the good guy in this particular fight. Excellent shadowy western from director Robert Wise with touches of film noir. Mitchum is solid. Preston makes an interesting villain. Nice support that includes Walter Brennan, Charles McGraw, Frank Faylen, and Phyllis Thaxter. Barbara Bel Geddes plays Mitchum's love interest. The abrupt change in her character's personality is one of the film's weaker points. She starts out as hotheaded tomboy then, without explanation, turns into a sweet, sympathetic lady. Fistfight in a darkened bar between Mitchum and Preston is a highlight. Western fans will enjoy this one a lot.
LeonLouisRicci
One of the best Westerns is unfortunately little known outside Film-Noir devotees and Robert Mitchum Fans. It is a darkly lit antithesis to most familiar Westerns of broad sun drenched landscapes and other clichés of the Genre. A brooding Character Study that anticipated the Mann/Boetticher personal Films of the 1950's.This is one of the very few Westerns that can be placed in the Film-Noir Category without dissent. From the conflicted and sensitive Anti-Hero to the moody, gloomy shadows that drape almost every Scene, to the brutal and very violent brawl that takes place in a dingy Commissary, to the changing attitudes of the Players, this is definitely a Noir without apology.The fine Acting, Cinematography, and Direction makes this stand out as a thoughtful, complex situation of Range Wars and Social alignments. A unique Movie that is mounted in a claustrophobic frame that goes against the grain of its setting. A sharply focused, but mysterious environment with Drifters and Cowgirls equally important to the Story.
MartinHafer
Robert Mitchum wanders into the middle of a feud between two sides in the old west. All he wants to do is visit with an old friend (Robert Preston), but keeps getting pushed to enter the action--though he has no idea who is in the right and who is not. Instead, he just tries to be a decent person and stay out--but unfortunately, no one else will allow this.As for Preston, he wants Mitchum to join with him in beating Tom Tully and his friends. But, the more Mitchum digs, the more Preston seems to be in the wrong...and just plain evil. Obviously, the years have changed Preston for the worst (a role he often played during this era). Eventually, Mitchum realizes he must stand up to his old friend and do what is right.In general, this is a very good and adult sort of western. Robert Mitchum was very nice in the lead--very understated and not the macho hero you might usually find in such films. The script and direction are also quite good. About the only thing I didn't like in the film was Barbara Bel Geddes' character. At first, she's insanely hot-headed and pretty annoying. Later, she's level-headed and head over heels in love with Mitchum! It's like she's playing a Jekyll and Hyde sort of character--and always at such extremes.
