Some things I liked some I did not.

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

I'm not a big fan of 'classic' American westerns, usually preferring a little 'spaghetti' with my saddles, Stetsons and six-shooters, but I do have a fondness for the adventures of The Lone Ranger, which were a part of my childhood in the '70s (repeat showings aired during summer holidays and on Saturdays). Like an American Robin Hood, The Lone Ranger served up entertaining half hour slices of wholesome escapism and acts of derring do in which good always triumphed over evil.This, the first of two full length features to star Clayton Moore as the legendary masked vigilante, sees our dashing hero and his faithful sidekick Tonto (Jay Silverheels) coming to blows with dastardly rancher Reece Kilgore (Lyle Bettger) and his men, who have been stirring up trouble with the natives on a nearby reservation in an attempt to lay their hands on the silver lode within the Indians' sacred mountain.Plot-wise, it's a fairly routine and rather predictable escapade for the ranger, but one enlivened by strong performances from heroes and villains alike, enjoyable action (there are several impressive fist-fights featuring great stunt-work), glorious colour cinematography, a rousing score (including, of course, the show's signature theme, the William Tell Overture), and some welcome humour (as Moore dons the guise of an old prospector in order to investigate)—all of which adds up to a very enjoyable time.7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for the sake of nostalgia.

If anyone had told me I'd look at, let alone write a review for a 'Lone Ranger' film I'd have laughed at them Big Time! Here is a film from 1956, based on a TV series that I fully expected to look and sound as bad as they could come....was I surprised to find this had elements you might usually expect to find in a major work.Technically, it doesn't get too much better than this curious show. If you can get your head around a masked vigilante leading a two man fight against all forms of corruption, then you could be on you way to an exciting ride, and ride they do! Some of the horse work is of the more spectacular type with several scenes where the horses actually run off with the honors.It's all odd, and at odds with an America of the 50s where Afro Americans and Native Indians were treated as second (and third) class citizens ~ then along comes a hero of the highest degree, who with his trusted 'Red Indian' confident and 'friend', takes on the whole American political system! The production values were the biggest surprise for me. Firstly, an above average script credited to 'Have Gun Will Travel' creator: Herb Meadow (based on the original characters created by Francis Striker and George Trendle in 1932) this kicks things off to a good start, then you notice the great cinematography by special effects man Edwin B. Du Par. The action sequences are so well staged that you almost feel the pain being inflicted on the characters, who by the way, put up with unexpected levels of violence for this era and genre.Strong direction is given by Stuart Heisler who keeps the thrills flowing. The music score by Vienese David Buttolph blends in well with the strange choice of an Italian opera for the main and end titles! Those with a trained ear for 50s/60s TV themes will pick up the 'Sugarfoot' theme within the incidental music (I had wondered where that theme came from, now we know) The two main leads work very well together turning in sincere performances for their curious characters - I can't help but feel they had a genuine fondness for them, this all helps carry it thorough the shaky bits. The bulk of the supporting cast supply strong performances and lift this near unbelievable story to a quite believable level. This was to be award nominated Bonita Granville's final major screen role, she married the films producer Jack Wrather and retired. I'm now looking forward to the follow up theatrical feature: 'The Lost City of Gold' Hope it's as well done. If you enjoy this type of 50s western movie you may have fun with this, give it a go....Footnote Up-Date: Have since caught up with the 'Lost City of Gold', somewhat of a let down. Review posted also.

Enjoyable Lone Ranger western film about the Masked Man and his faithful Indian sidekick . All new and a brand new thrills , the story of desperado riders in the Old West and the silver bullet that stopped the most savage Indian uprising ever to menace America's vast frontiers . The legend of the Lone Ranger is ¨the untold story of the man behind the mask and the legend behind the man¨ . This flick follows the adventures of the Ranger , his white stallion Silver and his American Indian pal Tonto, as they attempt to bring local criminals to justice once again. This cinematic adaptation deals with the Lone Ranger , here he comes , thundering up the West's deadliest silver mines trail , blasting his way and confronting baddies . The Ranger accompanied by the Indian Tonto who rides with him, on Silver and Scout, throughout the West, doing good deeds and they dedicate their life to combat the evil that Reece Kilgore -Lyle Bettger- represents. As they must prevent a war between Indians and nasty ranchers disguised as Indian riders in a dangerous adventure . The Kilgore's start a mining company on Indian territory, and the Indians aren't glad about it. The Lone Ranger must fight the savages and find away to make peace between Red Skins and White Men . The two heroes ride off in a cloud of dust under classic musical background composed by Rossini and shouting ¨Hi-Yo silver¨.¨The Legend Of The Lone Ranger¨ is crusader's first silver screen outing . The film contains action , thrills , great scenery with spectacular outdoors magnificently photographed in Warnercolor . This shows a campy and entertaining glimpse at nostalgic television series . It packs some fine action , adequate musical score and emotion ; as children as well as adults will undoubtedly love this film . Clayton Moore is good as the mysterious and righteous gunslinger, yet he shows have an endearing innocent charm , while Jay Silverheels is acceptable as his faithful sidekick Tonto. Jay Silverheels played as Tonto in the long series and two films , he also played Geronimo in ¨Broken Arrow¨(1950) . ¨The battle of Apache Pass¨(1951) and ¨Walk to proud land¨(56) . He performed about 30 Western from 1957 to 1973 in important roles such as ¨Brave warrior¨, 'The pathfinder¨, ¨Drums across the river¨, ¨Indian Paint and ¨Santee¨ . In addition , he played a cameo as Tonto in the parody ¨Alias Jesse James¨ with Bob Hope . Furthermore , there appears Bonita Granville , she married producer Jack Wrather in 1947, who became the longtime producer of the "Lone Ranger" TV series and films. Following this movie, Granville retired from acting to become a producer on the long running "Lassie" TV series ; her final film appearance was a cameo in ¨The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)¨, also produced by Wrather . Atmospheric as well as thrilling musical score by David Buttolph . In the scene where the Ranger meets the governor with his mask on, the music in the background is the soon to be "Maverick" theme , both this film and Maverick credit David Buttolph with the music. The motion picture was professionally directed by Stuart Heisler . His movies had a professionalism and a verve that many of those made by his fellow directors lacked . He also filmed detective thrillers , action and dramas . Stuart started his directorial career at Paramount in 1940 and turning out mostly "B"-grade films but was occasionally given an "A" picture. The majority of his output was routine but he did turn out several first-rate films, his best-known probably being the sleeper hit The Biscuit Eater (1940), garnering the best reviews of his career. He realized his first Western titled ¨Along Came Jones¨ (1945). After leaving Paramount he free-lanced. He directed Bette Davis in The star (1952) and directed Ginger Rogers and Ronald Reagan in the hard-hitting anti-Klan drama Storm warning (1951). He made his last film, the underwhelming Hitler (1962).¨The Lone Ranger¨ was originally created as a radio play in 1933 by George W. Trendle and well developed by Fran Striker . The Lone Ranger started off as an America radio show started in the 1930s and finally ended in 1954 . It began in a ¨Lone Ranger¨ serial (1938) , a program burdened by noisy action and starred by Lee Powell , being directed by William Witney and John English . It later expanded on to the big screen with 1938's "The Lone Ranger," 1939's "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" , a Republic serial in 15 whirlwind chapters with Robert Livingstone , Chief Thundercloud and Duncan Renaldo . The Lone Ranger was also a television series from 1948 through 1957 in which gained widespread notoriety on ABC television, as Clayton Moore donned the mask each week to fight crime and corruption in the old west and of course Jay Silverheels as Tonto . The second film was co-starred by Douglas Kennedy , Charles Watts and Ralph Morris . Furthermore , new version by Willam A Fraker titled ¨The legend of the Lone Ranger¨ that wavers between irony and seriousness , starred by Klinton Spilbury and Michael Horse ; but the film bombed so badly at the box office , as the movie's star Klinton Spilsbury never worked in Hollywood again. The last appearance of The Lone Ranger was in 2003 for a two-hour special on WB Network starring Chad Michael Murray and Nathaniel Arcand . Jerry Bruckheimer Films has debuted a logo for the upcoming adaptation of The Lone Ranger , this is the last big screen iteration of the famous character . The tagline on the site reads, "The Legend Returns." Gore Verbinski has been contracted to filmmaking the classic TV show film , a blockbuster retelling for the big screen, and Johnny Depp is attached to play Tonto .

The Lone Ranger is simply the Coolest Western Hero ever. A Mythological Figure of Demigod status. He has sculpted Good Looks framed in a Stunning yet Simplistic Outfit (no spangles or fringes here). He Speaks in Mellifluous Tones that Demand Attention and Respect. He has Style Without Pretensions, smoothly Spinning his Gun back in the holster and Gliding onto his Beloved Silver whether at a Standstill or a Gallop. Along with his Faithful Companion Tonto, who Exudes excessive amounts of Supreme Stature in his own right, the Ranger must Rescue a Kidnapped little Girl, Stop an all out Indian Uprising, and Battle numerous amounts of Injustice, Greed, and Bigotry. It's all done with Wit, Skill, and a Fearful Fighting Style Unique in the Untamed West.This Movie version of the Extremely Popular TV-Entertainment is a well-Produced, Colorful, well-Written, well-Done Addition that will Please Western Fans of All Ages. Not just the Kids.