It's a great movie. I enjoyed it for years before I knew about it being a blacklist allegory. But it is really a weak one, I think. Do Kane's friends lie about him or falsely accuse him? No. That is what the blacklisting did. Do they turn people against one another? That is one of the things blacklisting did. Do they try to discredit Kane. No. Actually people still respect him and what he stands for, but they are afraid of Frank Miller and his men.

Kane makes the right decision - staying to fight is the only option, because if he leaves he has to deal with the outlaws alone, on the road, with his wife. He's not trying to do the right thing. He's trying to survive, if he can.

I belong to a forum about ffans of western films and TV. Some members will not watch the movie because of the blacklist aspect. What does that say about them?

In my mind I know it is an allegorical tale, but I mostly watch it for the suspense and action.