The Hanged Man (1974)
Directed by Michael Caffey, The Hanged Man is a made-for-TV Western film that aired in 1974 as a pilot for a proposed series—but the show was never picked up. Despite its short life, the film has gained a modest cult following for its supernatural twist and solid cast, including Steve Forrest, Dean Jagger, and Will Geer.
Plot Summary
Gunfighter James Devlin (Steve Forrest) is sentenced to death and hanged for a crime he may not have committed. But in a twist worthy of folklore, Devlin survives the hanging—no explanation given—and wanders off to start a new life. He soon finds himself defending a widow, Carrie Gault (Sharon Acker), and her son from a ruthless land baron, Lew Halleck (Cameron Mitchell), who wants to seize her silver-rich property. With help from the eccentric old-timer Nameless (Will Geer), Devlin becomes a reluctant hero in a classic tale of redemption.
Cast Highlights
- Steve Forrest as James Devlin
- Dean Jagger as Josiah Lowe
- Will Geer as Nameless
- Sharon Acker as Carrie Gault
- Cameron Mitchell as Lew Halleck
- BarBara Luna, Brendon Boone, and Ray Teal in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- This was the final screen appearance of Ray Teal, best known for his role as Sheriff Roy Coffee on Bonanza
- The film was shot in Old Tucson and Mescal, Arizona, as well as Red Rock Canyon State Park in California
- The foundry building used in the film also appeared in the 1970 Western The Animals
- The movie was intended as a pilot for a series starring Steve Forrest, but it was never picked up
- The premise—man survives hanging and seeks redemption—echoes literary themes like The Man Who Was Dead and Lazarus, adding a mystical layer to the Western formula
