"Journey to a Hanging" is the first episode of the short-lived TV series "Cimarron Strip". And, as a first episode, it's not especially successful. After all, the show SHOULD hook you...getting you to watch more...and "Journey to a Hanging" doesn't.
The story begins with two men being arrested by the Sheriff (Stuart Whitman). One was a drunk with a strong tendency to overact (John Saxon) and hte other is a member of a gang that has been mostly unsuccessful is robbing and terrorizing the territory. However, instead of rescuing the gang member, the gang shows up and its cold-hearted leader (Henry Silva) kills him to keep him from talking. The rest of the show concerns the Sheriff and a very motley posse chasing the gang to bring them to justice.
The story suffers in two ways. First, it's pretty familiar stuff. Second, there are some examples of overacting that can't be ignored. Overall, not a bad show but one that should have been much better as a premier episode.
By the way, after watching a few more episodes, I realized that the fourth aired episode was actually the first episode!!! In other words, someone CHOSE to air "Journey to a Hanging" first, even though it was weak AND skipped all the introductory stuff you see in episode 4. So, my advice is see episode 4 first...it will make a whole lot more sense that way!!