Post by Eddie Love on Sept 5, 2010 16:36:53 GMT -5
Kirk Douglas and director John Sturges re-teamed the year following their triumph of GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL in this lower key, but gripping Western.
There’s not quite the same depth to Kirk’s character here – he’s squarely on the right side of the law. He plays a town marshal who’s Native American wife, the mother of his young son, is raped and murdered. (As we know, in Hollywood Westerns the wages of interracial marriage is death, at least for women.) The trail of the killers leads Kirk to the son of an old friend (Anthony Quinn), now a powerful cattle baron.
The action here builds to a sensational second half that’s like a mash-up of HIGH NOON and 3:10 TO YUMA. Douglas has to get Quinn’s son on the titular transport, but first holds up in a hotel room, while the entire town, under Quinn’s thumb, conspires to thwart him.
Douglas is great in these scenes, effortlessly cool and vividly physical. Quinn makes a terrific partner to Douglas, he shares his dynamic naturalism. He’s pretty bold in creating a character that’s magnetic, even attractive, yet also a monster. His abusive treatment of his son and mistress are the clear impetus for the tragedy and betrayal that unfold.
This picture is another unheralded gem from Sturges’ resume. He’s not an overt stylist, but he composes the action with deft skill. The rape of Kirk’s wife is a powerful sequence.
By all means, check out this slow-burning grabber.