In a modern cow town, the powerful ranch owner’s henchmen kill a ranch hand, prompting the sheriff to investigate despite facing strong opposition. He finds an unlikely ally in the rancher's overprotected daughter, but their quest for justice puts them both in danger.
Acting
Welles's volcanic presence vs. Chandler's wounded integrity.
Cinematography
Shadow-drenched CinemaScope that earns the title.
Direction
Jack Arnold squeezes noir dread into western open spaces.
Director
Jack Arnold
Jeff Chandler
Ben Sadler
Orson Welles
Virgil Renchler
Colleen Miller
Skippy Renchler
Ben Alexander
Ab Begley
Barbara Lawrence
Helen Sadler
John Larch
Ed Yates
James Gleason
Hank James
Royal Dano
Aiken Clay
Paul Fix
Herb Parker
Leo Gordon
Chet Huneker
Martín Garralaga
Jesus Cisneros
Charles Horvath
Len Bookman
William Schallert
Jim Shaney
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Welles filmed most of his scenes in just five days and reportedly rewrote his own dialogue on set.
Released during the height of the House Un-American Activities Committee, the corrupt-institution plot hit differently than standard westerns.
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