Lonely Are the Brave is a 1962 Western drama film directed by David Miller and starring Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, and Carroll O'Connor. The film is based on the novel The Brave Cowboy by Edward Abbey.
The main character, Jack Burns (Kirk Douglas), is a cowboy who values his independence and freedom above all else. He travels alone with his horse and his guitar, never staying in one place for too long. One day, he learns that his old friend Paul (Michael Kane) has been sentenced to two years in prison for helping illegal immigrants cross the border. Burns decides to help Paul escape and arranges to have himself arrested for starting a bar fight.
While in jail, Burns befriends the sheriff's wife, Jerry (Gena Rowlands), who sympathizes with his plight. However, Burns soon realizes that he cannot rely on anyone else to help him break Paul out of prison. He decides to go it alone and stages an elaborate escape plan involving his horse and a helicopter.
The film explores themes of individual freedom and the struggle between modern society and the traditional values of the American West. Kirk Douglas delivers a powerful performance as Jack Burns, a loner who refuses to conform to society's expectations. The film has been praised for its realistic portrayal of cowboy life and its commentary on the changing face of the American West in the 1960s.