Watch The Lawless Breed

The Lawless Breed is a western movie from 1952 starring Rock Hudson, Julie Adams, and Mary Castle. The film follows the life of notorious outlaw Jesse James (played by Hudson) and his gang as they rob banks, trains, and stagecoaches in the late 1800s. The movie opens with a young Jesse James working on his family's farm before deciding to join the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the war, James returns home only to find that his family's farm has been taken by the ruthless railway company. This drives James to a life of crime, as he and his gang start robbing the railway's trains and using the money to support their families.

As James becomes more infamous, a Pinkerton detective named Rixley (played by John McIntire) is hired by the railway company to capture him. Rixley pursues James and his gang tirelessly, leading to several dramatic shootouts and chases throughout the movie.

The story also touches on James' personal life, including his relationships with his wife (played by Julie Adams) and his younger brother (played by Dennis Weaver). His wife struggles to come to terms with James' violent lifestyle, while his brother idolizes him and follows in his footsteps.

One of the standout scenes of the movie is a tense confrontation between James and Rixley in a saloon. The two men have a heated conversation about James' actions, with Rixley expressing his disgust and James defending himself by claiming that the railway company is partly responsible for his criminal behavior.

The Lawless Breed was notable for its portrayal of Jesse James as more of a sympathetic character than other westerns of the time. While he is still shown committing violent crimes, the movie also explores his motivations and the injustices that led him to a life of crime.

Rock Hudson delivers a strong performance as James, bringing both charisma and vulnerability to the role. Julie Adams is also impressive as James' conflicted wife, while Mary Castle adds some fun as a saloon singer and love interest for James.

Overall, The Lawless Breed is a well-crafted western that explores the complexities of one of the most infamous outlaws in American history. It features tense action scenes, solid performances, and a nuanced portrayal of its main character.

The Lawless Breed is a 1953 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.