If this had been directed by Jacques Tourneur, and the script had been tightened a little, it might have been a cowboy noir, but directed by Sidney Lanfield it is nothing but a dull black and white Western redeemed by the reserved presence of the lovely Jane Greer and hampered by the modern face of a miscast Dick Powell. Burl Ives, Agnes Moorehead and especially Raymond Burr give good support, but it doesn't really help.

Wonderfully odd western...feels like a 40's urban detective flick, with great dialogue and a terrific cast. Includes a brief scene with Charles (Ming the Merciless) Middleton as the town sheriff, doing something remarkably intelligent under the circumstances.