Powerful performances by a small ensemble cast (only four!) and an interesting psychological theme marks this film as quite worth seeking out. On my third viewing of this film, I questioned why I consider Jean Simmons to be one of my favorite movie actresses of all time, yet when I'm asked that question of who is on that list, her name momentarily escapes my mind. It's obviously because she's an absolute beauty who seems so approachable and real that her name and movie star don't seem to belong together in the same sentence.
In this film, she's absolutely stunning, both tough and vulnerable, and as the only woman in the film (not sure of her Lassie lookalike collie's gender), it's her character who without asking the question basically inquires the statement I make in my opening. She comes across two men in the beginning who have just been fighting. One is Rory Calhoun who is an admitted killer and the other is Stephen McNally, taking him to prison. The question arises when Simmons' father (Brian Aherne) arrives. Is Calhoun really a murderer even though he killed a man? Examining the circumstances may not exonerate Calhoun but Simmons is certain of his innocence of the charges.
While incidents of the actual crime are vaguely discussed, they are minor elements of the exposition, Calhoun claiming that he wanted to turn himself in, but not be taken back by McNally whom he is certain wants to kill him because of his becoming a deputy simply to capture Calhoun legally. In an earlier scene, Calhoun tries to take Simmons' rifle but is stopped by her dog. Later in the film, the collie seems to favor Calhoun over McNally. The romance that blossoms between Simmons and Calhoun develops naturally and obviously infuriates McNally. Aherne may not have the same amount of footage as the others, but he becomes the moral guide and provides the final judgment. Top notch performances, breathtaking color outdoor photography and a plot that makes the viewer think. Quite better than its title indicates.
In this film, she's absolutely stunning, both tough and vulnerable, and as the only woman in the film (not sure of her Lassie lookalike collie's gender), it's her character who without asking the question basically inquires the statement I make in my opening. She comes across two men in the beginning who have just been fighting. One is Rory Calhoun who is an admitted killer and the other is Stephen McNally, taking him to prison. The question arises when Simmons' father (Brian Aherne) arrives. Is Calhoun really a murderer even though he killed a man? Examining the circumstances may not exonerate Calhoun but Simmons is certain of his innocence of the charges.
While incidents of the actual crime are vaguely discussed, they are minor elements of the exposition, Calhoun claiming that he wanted to turn himself in, but not be taken back by McNally whom he is certain wants to kill him because of his becoming a deputy simply to capture Calhoun legally. In an earlier scene, Calhoun tries to take Simmons' rifle but is stopped by her dog. Later in the film, the collie seems to favor Calhoun over McNally. The romance that blossoms between Simmons and Calhoun develops naturally and obviously infuriates McNally. Aherne may not have the same amount of footage as the others, but he becomes the moral guide and provides the final judgment. Top notch performances, breathtaking color outdoor photography and a plot that makes the viewer think. Quite better than its title indicates.