This is one of my favorite all-time movies. Dan Blocker gives one of his best performances and his interpretation of Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'Essays on Self-Reliance' is inspiring. Dan is a blacksmith the town has trusted to bring the railroad to them. When it then locates nearby, they ostracize him. Dan's efforts to stand alone and woo his true love make up the core of the movie. Worth seeing. Other performances are awesome as well. Susan Clark is beautiful and tough as Dan's teacher. Some of the best character actors in Hollywood turned up in this one. Watch for Iron Eyes Cody, Edgar Buchanan, Dub Taylor and Henry Jones in hilarious performances. Warren Oates, Don Stroud and John Dehner make suitably nasty bad guys. You won't be disappointed.