Robert Mitchum wanders into the middle of a feud between two sides in the old west. All he wants to do is visit with an old friend (Robert Preston), but keeps getting pushed to enter the action--though he has no idea who is in the right and who is not. Instead, he just tries to be a decent person and stay out--but unfortunately, no one else will allow this.
As for Preston, he wants Mitchum to join with him in beating Tom Tully and his friends. But, the more Mitchum digs, the more Preston seems to be in the wrong...and just plain evil. Obviously, the years have changed Preston for the worst (a role he often played during this era). Eventually, Mitchum realizes he must stand up to his old friend and do what is right.
In general, this is a very good and adult sort of western. Robert Mitchum was very nice in the lead--very understated and not the macho hero you might usually find in such films. The script and direction are also quite good. About the only thing I didn't like in the film was Barbara Bel Geddes' character. At first, she's insanely hot-headed and pretty annoying. Later, she's level-headed and head over heels in love with Mitchum! It's like she's playing a Jekyll and Hyde sort of character--and always at such extremes.
As for Preston, he wants Mitchum to join with him in beating Tom Tully and his friends. But, the more Mitchum digs, the more Preston seems to be in the wrong...and just plain evil. Obviously, the years have changed Preston for the worst (a role he often played during this era). Eventually, Mitchum realizes he must stand up to his old friend and do what is right.
In general, this is a very good and adult sort of western. Robert Mitchum was very nice in the lead--very understated and not the macho hero you might usually find in such films. The script and direction are also quite good. About the only thing I didn't like in the film was Barbara Bel Geddes' character. At first, she's insanely hot-headed and pretty annoying. Later, she's level-headed and head over heels in love with Mitchum! It's like she's playing a Jekyll and Hyde sort of character--and always at such extremes.