SPOILER One of the better b/w psychological westerns that United Artists released back in the 50s, this one concerns a cattle rancher played by Robert Ryan, who is bitterly opposed to the local farmers closing off the range with barbed wire.
Ryan goes into town looking for a showdown with the farmers when all of a sudden Burl Ives outlaw gang shows up and interrupts the drama. Ives doesn't care about their dispute, he just wants fresh supplies so he and his gang can continue their getaway. He holds both Ryan and the farmers hostage while this is all going on, so one of them can't get away and notify the army who is in pursuit for the gold shipment they've just robbed.
It also turns out that Ives was wounded during the earlier robbery and is slowly dying. There's nothing that can be done for him, yet he stoically continues with his plan of escape, regardless of the consequences.
Although Ryan has no sympathy for the farmers, he agrees to lead Ives gang through the snow-covered landscape in order to make their escape. There is no trail through the wilderness but it doesn't matter. Ryan is just trying to buy time and get the gang away from the farmers and the townspeople because he just can't stand by and let them get slaughtered by Ives gang.
During their trek, Ives falls off his horse and dies and the rest of the gang gets greedy and start killing each other off the other's share of the gold. They can't kill Ryan because they believe he is the only one who knows the way. The last tow who survive, die in the bitter cold while Ryan tries to keep warm by hiding behind a tree covered snowbank. Ryan then barely makes it back to town and the film ends.
It's one of the better U/A films and I highly recommend it, if only for the excellent performances of Ryan and Ives and the scenic alpine locations. I only wish it was done in color to take advantage of all that. With Tina Louise (as the love interest), Lance Fuller and David Nelson.
6 out of 10
Ryan goes into town looking for a showdown with the farmers when all of a sudden Burl Ives outlaw gang shows up and interrupts the drama. Ives doesn't care about their dispute, he just wants fresh supplies so he and his gang can continue their getaway. He holds both Ryan and the farmers hostage while this is all going on, so one of them can't get away and notify the army who is in pursuit for the gold shipment they've just robbed.
It also turns out that Ives was wounded during the earlier robbery and is slowly dying. There's nothing that can be done for him, yet he stoically continues with his plan of escape, regardless of the consequences.
Although Ryan has no sympathy for the farmers, he agrees to lead Ives gang through the snow-covered landscape in order to make their escape. There is no trail through the wilderness but it doesn't matter. Ryan is just trying to buy time and get the gang away from the farmers and the townspeople because he just can't stand by and let them get slaughtered by Ives gang.
During their trek, Ives falls off his horse and dies and the rest of the gang gets greedy and start killing each other off the other's share of the gold. They can't kill Ryan because they believe he is the only one who knows the way. The last tow who survive, die in the bitter cold while Ryan tries to keep warm by hiding behind a tree covered snowbank. Ryan then barely makes it back to town and the film ends.
It's one of the better U/A films and I highly recommend it, if only for the excellent performances of Ryan and Ives and the scenic alpine locations. I only wish it was done in color to take advantage of all that. With Tina Louise (as the love interest), Lance Fuller and David Nelson.
6 out of 10