Jubal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A drifter takes a ranch job but gets tangled in a spicy love triangle involving his boss’s wife and a jealous coworker, proving that sometimes the worst wilderness is the one inside people (especially when someone smells like sheep).

🍿 Jubal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Drifter Finds Shelter

The story begins with Jubal Troop, a lone cowboy found injured and exhausted on the range. Rancher Shep Horgan discovers Jubal and offers him shelter and a job at his sprawling ranch. Shep quickly takes a liking to Jubal, finding him honest and capable. He soon promotes Jubal to foreman, a decision that pleases Jubal but stirs resentment among the existing ranch hands.

Rising Tensions and Unwelcome Advances

Among the hands, Pinky Pinkum, who was previously the top hand and used to favors from Shep’s wife, takes an immediate, intense dislike to Jubal. Pinky views the newcomer with suspicion and jealousy. Adding to the tension, Shep’s attractive and restless young wife, Mae, becomes infatuated with Jubal. Feeling trapped and unhappy in her marriage to the older, boisterous Shep, Mae makes repeated advances towards Jubal, which he consistently rejects out of loyalty to Shep and his own moral code.

A Love Interest and Growing Conflict

While navigating the complicated dynamics at the ranch, Jubal meets Naomi Hoktor, a young woman traveling with a wagon train of pioneers camped on Shep’s land. Jubal is drawn to Naomi’s gentle nature and purity. Pinky observes Mae’s interest in Jubal and Jubal’s interactions with Naomi, fueling his own jealousy and animosity. He begins to look for ways to undermine Jubal and regain his position and influence.

Pinky’s Manipulation Begins

As Pinky’s hatred for Jubal grows, he starts subtly planting seeds of doubt and suspicion in Shep’s mind regarding Jubal and Mae. Shep, kind-hearted but naive when it comes to his wife, is initially trusting but vulnerable to insinuation. The stage is set for betrayal and tragedy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jubal Troop (Glenn Ford): The drifter who becomes a trusted foreman but is caught in a deadly web of jealousy and desire.
• Shep Horgan (Ernest Borgnine): The kind but naive rancher who befriends Jubal, unaware of the tensions simmering around his wife and top hand.
• ‘Pinky’ Pinkum (Rod Steiger): The jealous and malicious ranch hand whose resentment towards Jubal fuels the central conflict.
• Mae Horgan (Valerie French): The unhappy rancher’s wife whose forbidden attraction to Jubal ignites deadly passions.
• Naomi Hoktor (Felicia Farr): A virtuous young woman from a wagon train who sees the good in Jubal and offers him hope.
• Reb Haislipp (Charles Bronson): A loyal ranch hand who serves as a true friend and ally to Jubal amidst the escalating danger.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sam: “You know, sometimes I think it’s givin’ the good Lord the worst of it to say He invented people.” – A ranch hand muses cynically on the inherent flaws and troubles of human nature.
• Mae Horgan: “I love him! Do you hear? I love Jube!” – Said to her husband Shep in a moment of desperate manipulation and frustration, falsely claiming love for Jubal.
• Jubal Troop: “Shep made me feel like somebody. Shep gave me a reason for living.” – Jubal expresses his deep gratitude and loyalty towards Shep for giving him a home and purpose after being found injured.
• Pinky Pinkum: “He stinks of sheep dip.” – Pinky’s immediate, venomous reaction upon seeing the newly arrived Jubal, expressing contempt and suspicion based on a false assumption about his past.
• Mae Horgan: “I wouldn’t come too close to this if I were you. You might get burned.” – Mae says this suggestively to Jubal, hinting at the dangerous passion she feels and the trouble their interaction could cause.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: $1,800,000
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 Jubal Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, I just watched ‘Jubal’ and man, what a ride! I went in expecting a typical old-school Western, but this felt so much more like a tense drama with cowboys. Glenn Ford is just perfect as Jubal – quiet and steady, even when everything around him is going crazy. And Rod Steiger as Pinky… talk about a villain you love to hate! He really sells that jealous, conniving type. But honestly, the real star might be the scenery! Those shots of the Grand Tetons are stunning. It made me feel like I was right there on the ranch, breathing in that mountain air. It’s a classic for a reason.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate psychological themes in film”
  • “Fans of actors like Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, and Charles Bronson”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with striking natural scenery”
  • “Readers who liked the novel ‘Jubal Troop’ or stories similar to ‘Othello’ or the story of Joseph”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Dramatic themes involving jealousy and betrayal”
  • “Violence (gunfight, physical altercation resulting in death)”
  • “Implied adultery and unwelcome sexual advances”
  • “Mature themes of unhappy marriage and manipulation”
  • “May contain dated portrayals of gender roles (rated PG)”

Professional Reviews

• Classic Film Critic: “Delmer Daves’ ‘Jubal’ is a taut, psychological Western leveraging magnificent Grand Teton scenery against intense human drama. While Rod Steiger’s ‘method’ can be a bit much, Glenn Ford offers understated strength, anchoring a powerful story of loyalty, jealousy, and deception. It’s a compelling character study that rises above typical genre fare, driven by its superb cast and Delmer Daves’ skillful direction.
• Western Aficionado: “Often dubbed the ‘Othello of the West,’ ‘Jubal’ delivers as a sophisticated adult Western. The cast, including Ernest Borgnine’s amiable rancher, Valerie French’s alluring wife, and a young Charles Bronson, is top-notch. It prioritizes tension and character development over excessive action, making for an engrossing watch. The Wyoming locations are simply breathtaking, perfectly complementing the dramatic stakes.

Audience Reactions

The breathtaking Grand Teton scenery blew everyone away.: Viewers frequently praised the strong performances from the entire cast, particularly Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, and Rod Steiger. The film’s dramatic depth and intense character conflicts were also widely appreciated.

People loved the psychological tension and character-driven story.: The ‘Othello in the West’ comparison resonated with many, highlighting the film’s unique blend of classic drama with the Western genre. The beautiful cinematography was a consistent highlight for fans.

Overall Consensus: A highly regarded, intense psychological Western praised for its strong cast, dramatic depth, and stunning cinematography, offering a character-focused take on familiar themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is often cited as a Western adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, focusing on themes of jealousy, manipulation, and betrayal.”
• “Stars Ernest Borgnine and Rod Steiger had recently starred in adaptations of Paddy Chayefsky’s ‘Marty’ – Steiger in the 1953 TV version and Borgnine in the acclaimed 1955 film for which he won an Oscar. They reportedly had differing acting styles on set.”
• “Rod Steiger and director Delmer Daves had disagreements over how Pinky’s character should be portrayed, particularly regarding Steiger’s choice of a strong Southern accent and method acting approach.”
• “The stunning backdrop of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming was a key filming location, also famously used for Westerns like ‘Shane’ (1953) and later for ‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990).”
• “Valerie French, who plays Mae Horgan, was making her American film debut in ‘Jubal’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Jubal?

To watch ‘Jubal’ (1956), you can typically find it available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. As a classic Western, it may also occasionally air on television channels specializing in the genre or classic films. Check major digital movie stores for current availability or consider purchasing a DVD or Blu-ray copy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Jubal, you might like these similar films:

• 3:10 to Yuma (1957): Another taut, character-driven psychological Western directed by Delmer Daves and starring Glenn Ford, focusing on moral conflict and tension.
• Othello: The film’s plot is widely considered a Western adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, exploring similar themes of jealousy, manipulation (via an ‘Iago’ figure), and tragic consequences.
• Shane (1953): An iconic Western of the same era, also beautifully filmed against the dramatic backdrop of the Grand Teton mountains in Wyoming.
• The Power of the Dog (2021): A modern, highly acclaimed Western focusing intensely on psychological drama, toxic masculinity, repressed desires, and complex relationships on a ranch.
• Warlock (1959): A well-regarded cult classic Western featuring complex characters, shifting loyalties, and intense dramatic tension that appeals to fans of character-focused ‘adult’ Westerns.

🛒 Jubal Related Products

• Jubal (Columbia Classics Collection): Own this classic Western in stunning high-definition. Often part of prestigious studio collections, featuring restored picture and sound for the best viewing experience.
• Jubal Troop: A Novel: The original 1939 novel by Paul Wellman that inspired the film. Dive deeper into the characters and story that served as the source material for this classic Western drama.
• Classic Westerns Collection (Featuring Films from the Era): A curated set of influential Western films from the 1950s, showcasing the era’s shift towards more adult and psychological themes, similar to ‘Jubal’.
• Grand Teton National Park Photography Book: Capture the stunning beauty of the film’s primary filming location. A collection of professional photographs showcasing the majestic landscapes seen throughout ‘Jubal’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Jubal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sobre las olas” – performed by Juventino Rosas

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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