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Best of the Badmen

Play trailer Poster for Best of the Badmen 1951 1h 24m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 21% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After the North defeats the South, Union Maj. Jeff Clanton heads to Missouri to provide the Confederacy's Quantrill's Raiders a chance to claim allegiance to the Union, thereby clearing their wanted status. But standing in Clanton's way are the corrupt lawmen Joad and Fowler, who would rather keep the men outlaws to collect the reward on their heads. After Joad and Fowler frame Clanton for murder, he manages to escape, becoming an outlaw himself.
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Best of the Badmen

Critics Reviews

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Mildred Stockard Houston Chronicle Feb 3
Best of the Badmen is mainly for western fans who like their action rugged. It has too much romance to appeal to the kids. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/03/2005
C+
The only thing this routine Western has going for it is a good cast. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D @RT35616104 04/03/2024 A lot of talent here but it is wasted, See more 07/27/2015 a good western a little comedy and best of all nice horses to. See more 04/11/2015 Unspectacular but solid western headed by the always reliable Robert Ryan who plays a union soldier at the end of the Civil War who is looking to pardon the James/Younger Gang if they'll swear allegiance to The Union. However, crooked sheriff Robert Preston would rather bring them in for a reward and has Ryan arrested. Ryan and the James/Younger gang then go about getting their revenge on the smarmy Preston. See more 03/22/2015 another good "psychological' western See more 08/06/2014 Quantrill Raiders Ride Again--Enjoyable B-western given Grade A trimmings and a good cast... Another great RKO western!! See more 04/10/2014 Run of the mill western enlivened by pros Robert Ryan and Claire Trevor. See more Read all reviews
Best of the Badmen

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Cast & Crew

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William D. Russell

Director

Robert Ryan

Jefferson "Jeff" Clanton

Claire Trevor

Lily Fowler

Robert Preston

Matthew Fowler

Jack Buetel

Bob Younger

Walter Brennan

Ephraim "Doc" Butcher
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Best of the Badmen

Best of the Badmen (1951) Best of the Badmen (1951) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After the North defeats the South, Union Maj. Jeff Clanton heads to Missouri to provide the Confederacy's Quantrill's Raiders a chance to claim allegiance to the Union, thereby clearing their wanted status. But standing in Clanton's way are the corrupt lawmen Joad and Fowler, who would rather keep the men outlaws to collect the reward on their heads. After Joad and Fowler frame Clanton for murder, he manages to escape, becoming an outlaw himself.
Director
William D. Russell
Producer
Herman Schlom
Screenwriter
Robert Hardy Andrews, John Twist
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 9, 1951, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 31, 2009
Runtime
1h 24m