Pretty compelling, even with the rather predictable beats, and the performances are strong. The cinematography, too, has some striking moments. My problem is that the film feels so detached from the action. There was always a feeling of being lectured and even with a moral gray area so central to the story the overarching tone could not get away from the black and white view of the law. I still enjoyed it, but it could have been so much more.

A masculine depiction of a masculin world - this is far, far away from the dreamlike world of Raw Deal, and more direct and raw in its sensibilities and tight in plot and structure... An entertaining ride through the dark desert of Alton, indeed, but one that lacks fog.

Good B noic featuring an excellent early performance by Ricardo Montalban.

A transitional film for Anthony Mann: half-noir, half-western. I could have done without the stentorian voice-over that attempts to place the story in a documentary-like context, and provide an assuring resolution at film's end. The film works best as a tense action-thriller, with Mann's cramped compositions & low-angle shots working well with John Alton's deep-shadow nighttime cinematography.

It's alright; the photography by John Alton is really nice, and the obvious highlight of the film. Unfortunately the story lacks tension for the most part and the propagandic aspects of the film are shoehorned in so obnoxiously that you want to roll your eyes (I seriously laughed at the end when the American/Mexican flags were superimposed over the image).

Boooring. Alton's low-key photography is the only redeeming factor.

A lot of the beats are the same as T-Men, but they diverge plenty enough so it doesn't feel like a complete rehash. Again, Mann works with Alton to bring some excellent imagery to the screen, capturing the sparse and wild countryside of the southwest. Performances are a step up from the earlier film. The ending is too pat (problem SOLVED!) but one grows to expect that kind of thing. Maybe a trifle slow at times, but when the tension ratchets up, the action scenes really deliver.

Excellent beginnings, even if propaganda-themed, collapse into empty-headed action. Sure did love that Alton photography and the brief view (in between the hokum) Mann gives of some down-but-not-quite-out mexicans.

Had typically crisp direction by Mann, and Montalban was very good. But basically came off as not much better than some documentary you'd see in school (the stentorian VOs didn't help); you could practically hear the blubbering of the sprockets from the projector behind you.