Lonely Are the Brave

In this modern Western, a cowboy escapes from jail on horseback, only to discover a relentless sheriff is hot on his heels. The chase unfolds across the frontier, with the film featuring Kirk Douglas and Walter Matthau. The pursuit tests both men's resolve as the lawman refuses to give up.

Lonely Are the Brave is a programme classified as a movie, and it belongs to the western genre. Though it carries the look and feel of classic frontier tales, the story is set in contemporary times, giving the traditional western a modern twist. The title hints at the isolation of its main character, a lone figure who finds himself at odds with the law. The narrative follows a modern‑day cowboy who manages to break out of jail and makes his escape on horseback. Once free, he rides into the open, hoping to outrun the authorities. However, his flight is complicated by the relentless pursuit of a determined sheriff who refuses to let him get away. The chase becomes the core of the story, pitting the rider’s independence against the law’s persistence. The film presents a stark portrait of a solitary figure standing against an unyielding lawman, highlighting the tension between personal freedom and institutional authority. Its western roots are evident in the horseback chase and the barren landscape that frames the action. By setting the conflict in a contemporary era, the story underscores how timeless the struggle between an individual and the forces that seek to control him can be. The programme’s focus remains on the cat‑and‑mouse dynamic, offering a concise yet clear depiction of a lone rider’s defiance.