I wonder if one of the turnoffs to this film (since it lost money) was that at least in the beginning it sort of reminds one of "High Noon", in that a town is caught in the middle between the "bad guys" (a dictatorial rancher) and what is right to do. Cowardice versus courage.
However, the film quickly veers off in another direction as Henry Fonda proves to be a new activist unofficial sheriff with a fabled past (but how accurate is it). And then there is Richard Widmark -- a man caught between the evil rancher (for whom he used to work, and for whom his brother still works), and what he knows is wrong. But, this isn't a two handed deal. Anthony Quinn is along for the ride as an ally of Fonda's although hardly a man with a sparkling past...or present. Dorothy Malone plays the ex-lover of Quinn, with her own agenda.
There are several reasons to give this movie high points. First, even though the basic story may be fairly traditional, there's more complexity here than we usually see in a western.
Henry Fonda is superb here, Almost as good as I've ever seen him. Fonda is interesting. Certainly in the A list of actors in that era, but never quite as successful as a Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart. And I've never quite figured out why.
Richard Widmark interests me. He was able to transfer from a true bad guy in his early pictures to a rather odd leading man. Very underrated, Here his role is a little slim in the early part of the film, but gets more screen time and complexity as the film proceeds. And when his role expands, he's very good.
Anthony Quinn was doing better than his early films here, but he was not yet into his most productive period. There hints here that Anthony Quinn's character was gay or bi. It occurred to me several times throughout the film, particularly toward the end. And what was he supposed to have -- a club foot? That wasn't clear to me...or why I never cared much for Dorothy Malone, and still don't.
There are a number of well-known character actors along for the ride, including Frank Gorshin.
A word needs to be said here about the scenery. It's outstanding, and mostly filmed around wonderful Moab, Utah, including Dead Horse State Park.
This film is worth watching for one very good reason -- it's very different. Additionally, the acting is, overall, quit good. Recommended.
However, the film quickly veers off in another direction as Henry Fonda proves to be a new activist unofficial sheriff with a fabled past (but how accurate is it). And then there is Richard Widmark -- a man caught between the evil rancher (for whom he used to work, and for whom his brother still works), and what he knows is wrong. But, this isn't a two handed deal. Anthony Quinn is along for the ride as an ally of Fonda's although hardly a man with a sparkling past...or present. Dorothy Malone plays the ex-lover of Quinn, with her own agenda.
There are several reasons to give this movie high points. First, even though the basic story may be fairly traditional, there's more complexity here than we usually see in a western.
Henry Fonda is superb here, Almost as good as I've ever seen him. Fonda is interesting. Certainly in the A list of actors in that era, but never quite as successful as a Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart. And I've never quite figured out why.
Richard Widmark interests me. He was able to transfer from a true bad guy in his early pictures to a rather odd leading man. Very underrated, Here his role is a little slim in the early part of the film, but gets more screen time and complexity as the film proceeds. And when his role expands, he's very good.
Anthony Quinn was doing better than his early films here, but he was not yet into his most productive period. There hints here that Anthony Quinn's character was gay or bi. It occurred to me several times throughout the film, particularly toward the end. And what was he supposed to have -- a club foot? That wasn't clear to me...or why I never cared much for Dorothy Malone, and still don't.
There are a number of well-known character actors along for the ride, including Frank Gorshin.
A word needs to be said here about the scenery. It's outstanding, and mostly filmed around wonderful Moab, Utah, including Dead Horse State Park.
This film is worth watching for one very good reason -- it's very different. Additionally, the acting is, overall, quit good. Recommended.