I loved this episode. John Larch was fabulous as the evil, but nearly likable bad man. This reminded me a lot of Petrified Forest, the old Bogart film. I believe the actor who played the stage driver was the same fellow who played the Sheriff in many Bonanza episodes. He was also outstanding as was a very youthful looking Warren Oates.
I agree with the other comment that the story was somewhat standard western fare but it was elevated in my eyes by the wonderful cast and superb production. The opening scene was magnificent as the two hard edged escaped convicts played by Larch and Oates bushwhack a lonely prospector as the rain falls in torrents. This was one of the better done scenes that I have ever seen in a western, any western. It plays almost like an old thirties horror film...very cool. I knew it was going to be a special film just from that great opening. I also found it very interesting that the Larch character was anything but a one dimensional character. That was certainly not always the case during those days in Hollywood westerns.
Another plus was the entirely realistic shootout at the end of the episode. Very well done. Overall, I gave this one a ten! Darn near a perfect little film. Larch and McQueen were awesome.
I agree with the other comment that the story was somewhat standard western fare but it was elevated in my eyes by the wonderful cast and superb production. The opening scene was magnificent as the two hard edged escaped convicts played by Larch and Oates bushwhack a lonely prospector as the rain falls in torrents. This was one of the better done scenes that I have ever seen in a western, any western. It plays almost like an old thirties horror film...very cool. I knew it was going to be a special film just from that great opening. I also found it very interesting that the Larch character was anything but a one dimensional character. That was certainly not always the case during those days in Hollywood westerns.
Another plus was the entirely realistic shootout at the end of the episode. Very well done. Overall, I gave this one a ten! Darn near a perfect little film. Larch and McQueen were awesome.