Although I grew up in the 1950s loving Westerns...but at that time, who didn't...it's a rare Western nowadays that can hold my attention. However, this Western is clearly a cut above the average, and despite a few clichés, it's very watchable.
Kirk Douglas is the sheriff who has an Indian wife and young son. The wife is raped and murdered by Earl Holliman, the son of a land owner (Anthony Quinn) who controls a huge ranch a couple of towns over. Douglas sets off to bring the rapist/murderer in, which won't be easy since Quinn controls everything in his town. The twist is that Douglas and Quinn were once closest of friends. We know, of course, that Douglas will be successful in his attempt to bring about justice (with a little revenge mixed in), but how will he do it. Well, it's pretty interesting.
Kirk Douglas had an on-screen personality which was often too big for the movie screen. But he was best with he controlled himself and slightly under-played his roles...and that's what he did here. It's a very good performance.
Although Anthony Quinn had been making movies for over 20 years, when he made this film he was yet to hit his stride as a confident leading actor. He does nicely here, although I would not consider his acting here particularly noteworthy.
Carolyn Jones plays an odd character -- one who can't quite leave Quinn's character, even though he abuses her. I'm rarely impressed with Jones, but she's good here as the key to Douglas succeeding in his quest.
Earl Holliman is another actor I've never been overly impressed with. I would say he usually did his job...as he does here. Definitely a supporting actor, and not a star.
This is a Western worth watching, although it is certainly not in the realm of say a John Ford Western. Solid entertainment, though.
Kirk Douglas is the sheriff who has an Indian wife and young son. The wife is raped and murdered by Earl Holliman, the son of a land owner (Anthony Quinn) who controls a huge ranch a couple of towns over. Douglas sets off to bring the rapist/murderer in, which won't be easy since Quinn controls everything in his town. The twist is that Douglas and Quinn were once closest of friends. We know, of course, that Douglas will be successful in his attempt to bring about justice (with a little revenge mixed in), but how will he do it. Well, it's pretty interesting.
Kirk Douglas had an on-screen personality which was often too big for the movie screen. But he was best with he controlled himself and slightly under-played his roles...and that's what he did here. It's a very good performance.
Although Anthony Quinn had been making movies for over 20 years, when he made this film he was yet to hit his stride as a confident leading actor. He does nicely here, although I would not consider his acting here particularly noteworthy.
Carolyn Jones plays an odd character -- one who can't quite leave Quinn's character, even though he abuses her. I'm rarely impressed with Jones, but she's good here as the key to Douglas succeeding in his quest.
Earl Holliman is another actor I've never been overly impressed with. I would say he usually did his job...as he does here. Definitely a supporting actor, and not a star.
This is a Western worth watching, although it is certainly not in the realm of say a John Ford Western. Solid entertainment, though.