In Mexico, Helen (Barbara Stanwyck) and Doug Stilwin (Barry Sullivan) are driving down the desolate Baja California with their young son Bobby. He has brought along his gun from the Army. Doug gets trapped by falling piling and has only a few hours before incoming tides drown him. Helen drives off in search for help. She finds Lawson (Ralph Meeker) but he's actually a murderous escaped convict.
Director John Sturges constructs a pulpy thriller from this simple story of wide-eyed Americans caught up in a dangerous foreign land. It's a slow build at first. Sturges lays down little ominous nuggets along the way. He raises the tension at very spot. I love the Mexican peasants. Stanwyck is always capable of making that turn. This may not be a classic but there is real skills at work here in this high level B-movie.
Director John Sturges constructs a pulpy thriller from this simple story of wide-eyed Americans caught up in a dangerous foreign land. It's a slow build at first. Sturges lays down little ominous nuggets along the way. He raises the tension at very spot. I love the Mexican peasants. Stanwyck is always capable of making that turn. This may not be a classic but there is real skills at work here in this high level B-movie.