Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘Only the Valiant’: A Well-Paced, Generally Fun Western

Cathy Eversham (Barbara Payton, L) and Capt. Richard Lance (Gregory Peck) in "Only The Valiant." Warner Brothers

1951 | Approved | 1h 45m

I’ve always associated great Western films with the likes of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Henry Fonda. But after watching Gregory Peck in Westerns such as “The Gunfighter” (1950) and “The Big Country” (1958), I’ll happily watch anything when the words “Peck” and “Western” are associated together. And fortunately, there’s quite a few to choose from.

Soldier’s Redemption

When “Only the Valiant” was released in 1951, it didn’t seem to get much credit for what it was: a straightforward and entertaining Western tale about one man’s courage and attempt at redemption.