Shane

Film4, 4.35pm, Monday

A farmer and his family face losing their home and their livelihood when a ruthless cattle baron threatens to force them off their land.

Luckily, help arrives in the form of a mysterious gunfighter, who wins the admiration of the farmer’s son – and wife.

It may seem a little simplistic to cynical modern viewers but it’s also more involving than any number of later Westerns.

Alan Ladd is fine as Shane, but is often upstaged by the supporting cast, including Jack Palance, who positively exudes menace as the movie’s bad guy.