Watch The Naked Hills

The Naked Hills is a 1956 movie based on a novel by Jim Thompson, directed by Josef Shaftel, and starring David Wayne, Keenan Wynn, and James Barton. It is a western drama that tells the story of a gold rush in California in the 1850s and the conflicts and greed it brings to a small mining town. The movie begins with a man named Jeb (David Wayne) arriving in the town on foot. He tells the locals that he is a prospector looking for a partner to join him on his search for gold. A man named Daniel (Keenan Wynn) agrees to join Jeb's quest for a share of the gold they may find.

The two men set out into the hills, and soon they discover a rich vein of gold. However, their celebration is short-lived when they realize that they are not alone in their discovery. The local mine owner named Harding (James Barton) has also found the gold, and he wants it all for himself.

Harding is a ruthless businessman who will do anything to keep the gold for himself. He tries to convince Jeb and Daniel to sell their share of the gold to him, but they refuse. In retaliation, Harding hires a group of thugs to rough up Jeb and Daniel and to steal their gold.

The conflict between Harding and the two prospectors intensifies, as the two men refuse to back down. Jeb and Daniel recruit a group of other prospectors to help them protect their claim, but Harding is not easily scared off. He uses his wealth and influence to try and turn the local authorities against Jeb and Daniel, but they remain steadfast in their goal of keeping their gold.

As the situation in the town grows more tense, the prospectors begin to turn on each other. Some turn against Jeb and Daniel, and others side with Harding in hopes of getting a share of the gold. The tension boils over into violence as the different factions clash in a final showdown, with the fate of the gold and the town hanging in the balance.

The Naked Hills is a compelling drama that tells a story of greed, desperation, and violence in the Old West. The talented cast brings the characters to life, with David Wayne standing out as the determined and scrappy Jeb. Keenan Wynn is also excellent as the opportunistic Daniel, and James Barton is chilling as the ruthless and wealthy mine owner.

The movie is set against the backdrop of the beautiful California landscape, with breathtaking shots of the hills and valleys where the prospectors search for gold. The movie also features an atmospheric score that sets the tone for the action and the drama.

Overall, The Naked Hills is a classic western that is sure to entertain fans of the genre. It is a tale of survival and loyalty against all odds, and it remains relevant today in its exploration of the human condition and the pursuit of wealth and power.

The Naked Hills is a 1956 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.