Full of fine performances.
The only feature filmmaking effort for writer / director Roy Huggins (who went on to create the TV series 'The Fugitive' and 'The Rockford Files') stars Western icon Randolph Scott. Scott plays Confederate major Matt Stewart, who carries out a mission to rob a gold shipment. After all is said and done and a number of men have died, Stewart and the survivors learn that the Civil War is actually over. Content to hold on to the gold for now, they are pursued by a single- minded "posse" and are forced to hole up in a stagecoach way station. Conflicts run high inside the station in addition to the threat waiting outside.Huggins's film is a beautifully shot Technicolor Western that serves as a solid example of the genre. It clocks in at a reasonable 82 minutes, and the story by Huggins is absorbing every step of the way. Scott excels at playing a level headed protagonist, and he leads a strong cast. Donna Reed is lovely and appealing in the role of a Union Army nurse whose skills will come in handy. Claude Jarman Jr. is likewise endearing as Jamie, a junior member of Stewarts' gang. Lee Marvin is lots of fun as Rolf, a volatile type. Richard Denning is perfect in the role of Lee Kemper, who turns out to be a real weasel. Likewise impressive are Frank Faylen, Glenn Langan, Jeanette Nolan, Clem Bevans, and Ray Teal. Scotts' efficient, authoritative performance is the glue that holds everything together.
Yakima Canutt stages all of the excellent action. Of particular interest is the final showdown between our "heroes" and their antagonists, which takes place during a thunderstorm. The sequence leading up to that, of the way station being set ablaze, is similarly intense and exciting.
A commercial and critical favourite on Scotts' resume, "Hangman's Knot" is good, straightforward fun.
Eight out of 10.
score 8/10
Hey_Sweden 8 February 2015
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3179649/34825
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