Cattle rustler John Ireland and his creepy gang-leader try to drive a herd of stolen cattle through a blocked mountain pass. Planning to take over a nearby town until the spring thaw, Ireland discovers an old friend and partner has become it's sheriff and his own long-lost son in the middle of it all.
A compelling, though low-budget spaghetti western, this has lots of gun-play, a great, well-written role for an aging Ireland, and an equally entertaining villain who mixes violence and cruelty with moments of elegance and philosophical musings. The plot may be standard and the direction unimaginative, but there's some surprisingly strong observations made by these two!
A great scene involves the showdown with the sheriff, in front of the shuttered doors and windows of the town, where the villain orders the townspeople dragged out into the open to witness the lawman's demise, while he chastises them, telling them just how disgusted he is by their cowardice! Another gentler scene involves Ireland and his son, as he examines his life as an outlaw and the price it has taken on his soul.
This is a good example of how a B-movie can possibly promote and/or be elevated by decent writing.
A compelling, though low-budget spaghetti western, this has lots of gun-play, a great, well-written role for an aging Ireland, and an equally entertaining villain who mixes violence and cruelty with moments of elegance and philosophical musings. The plot may be standard and the direction unimaginative, but there's some surprisingly strong observations made by these two!
A great scene involves the showdown with the sheriff, in front of the shuttered doors and windows of the town, where the villain orders the townspeople dragged out into the open to witness the lawman's demise, while he chastises them, telling them just how disgusted he is by their cowardice! Another gentler scene involves Ireland and his son, as he examines his life as an outlaw and the price it has taken on his soul.
This is a good example of how a B-movie can possibly promote and/or be elevated by decent writing.