When a trio of ex-convicts led by Mattie Appleyard is released from prison, they hope to open a general store using money Mattie has saved during his 40-year sentence. This attempt is met with great resistance from a corrupt prison official and the banker who issued Mattie the check.
Acting
Stewart's shuffling gait hiding a lifetime of calculation
Direction
McLaglen's western chops make West Virginia feel lawless
Writing
The check that can't be cashed — perfect metaphor
Director
Andrew V. McLaglen
James Stewart
Mattie Appleyard
George Kennedy
Dallas 'Doc' Council
Anne Baxter
Cleo
Strother Martin
Lee Cottrill
Kurt Russell
Johnny Jesus
Katherine Cannon
Chanty Thorne
David Huddleston
Homer Grindstaff
Mike Kellin
Steve Mystic
William Windom
Roy K. Sizemore
Robert Donner
Willis Hubbard
Morgan Paull
Junior Kilfong
Dort Clark
Enoch Purdy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stewart and director McLaglen had worked together on five previous films; this was their sixth and final collaboration.
The film was barely released theatrically in 1971 and largely forgotten until recent rediscovery as a late-period Stewart curio.
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