It is the sort of family relationship one would expect to see in something by William Shakespeare: a veritable Elsinore transported to 19th century Arizona.

“The Violent Men” lives up to its title with its intense action sequences, but it also offers a nuanced exploration of its characters and themes.

Robinson, Ford, Stanwyck and Keith know how to act.

**_What if Victoria Barkley & her big ranch weren’t so noble?_** An ex-cavalry officer (Glenn Ford) wants to sell his Southeastern ranch and move back East with his fiancé (May Wynn), but the glaring crimes of the men of a local cattle baron (Edward G. Robinson) tempts him to make a courageous stand even though he’s weary of war. Barbara Stanwyck plays the baron’s wife, Brian Keith his brother and Dianne Foster his feisty daughter. Richard Jaeckel is on hand as an arrogant heavy. Released in early 1955, "The Violent Men" is a Western based on Donald Hamilton’s book “Smoky Valley.” There are similarities to “Jubal,” which came out the next year and is arguably superior, but this one ain’t no slouch and is inexplicably obscure. My title blurb is a good description of the goings-on as there is a predominant ranch in a big valley in the Old West with Stanwyck as the matriarch, but she & most of her men are the furthest thing from noble. (I’m of course making contrasts with The Big Valley, which debuted on TV ten years later). There’s quite a bit of human interest that draws the viewer into the story, which I appreciate even if it’s a little soap opera-y. The theme of a formidable man not wanting to get involved in violence, but will if backed against the wall is always good. Like “Shane” (1953), we get to hear the reasoning & justifications of the ranch baron, which prevents hi…