Anthony Mann takes apart the western through the travels of a prized rifle as it passes through several hands. This is a brooding and tougher western.
James Stewart is a bounty hunter, Lin McAdam, who takes part in a marksmanship contest for a valuable prize. A special edition of a Winchester rifle, just a 1000 were made.
His competitor is 'Dutch Henry' Brown (Stephen McNally). Both McAdam and Brown hate each other and take part in a long, fraught drawn out contest which McAdam eventually wins. However Brown beats him up and steals the rifle. McAdam seeks to track him down but doing so is not easy, as Brown has to reluctantly part with the rifle which then goes through several other exchanges. Each time leaving dead bodies.
Eventually the film unveils the true relationship between McAdam and Brown and the real reason for the enmity.
Mann gives the picture a grittier tone, there is a hint of sadness about it all just like McAdam, who is burdened by a dark secret which makes him hell bent on revenge.
However it is episodic which drifts somewhat when the focus is not on Stewart.
James Stewart is a bounty hunter, Lin McAdam, who takes part in a marksmanship contest for a valuable prize. A special edition of a Winchester rifle, just a 1000 were made.
His competitor is 'Dutch Henry' Brown (Stephen McNally). Both McAdam and Brown hate each other and take part in a long, fraught drawn out contest which McAdam eventually wins. However Brown beats him up and steals the rifle. McAdam seeks to track him down but doing so is not easy, as Brown has to reluctantly part with the rifle which then goes through several other exchanges. Each time leaving dead bodies.
Eventually the film unveils the true relationship between McAdam and Brown and the real reason for the enmity.
Mann gives the picture a grittier tone, there is a hint of sadness about it all just like McAdam, who is burdened by a dark secret which makes him hell bent on revenge.
However it is episodic which drifts somewhat when the focus is not on Stewart.