Dana Andrews has an interesting distinction in that he's been the recipient of a lynch mob's justice in two films--"The Ox-Bow Incident" and "Three Hours to Kill". However, he survived the ordeal in this film and has returned three years later to find out the real murderer, clear his name and exact revenge.
Soon after returning to town after this long absence, Andrews recalls the incidents that led to his hanging through the use of a flashback. He and another man got into a fist fight and Andrews got beaten (an oddity that a hero loses a fight in a western). While Andrews was unconscious, the man who beat him was shot with Andrews' gun. Not surprisingly, the town automatically assumed Andrews did it. However, they took justice into their own hands and tried to hang him. He escaped only because his fiancé (Donna Reed) stood up to the crowd and forced them at gunpoint to let him go. So who did the killing and why? And, what is the secret that Reed hides that comes as a huge surprise to her ex-fiancé? Tune in and see.
This film is highly reminiscent of a non-western, "Fury". Both concern a man unjustly attacked by a mob that returns to even the score--and both are well worth seeing. Well written, acted and directed--a very good western.
Soon after returning to town after this long absence, Andrews recalls the incidents that led to his hanging through the use of a flashback. He and another man got into a fist fight and Andrews got beaten (an oddity that a hero loses a fight in a western). While Andrews was unconscious, the man who beat him was shot with Andrews' gun. Not surprisingly, the town automatically assumed Andrews did it. However, they took justice into their own hands and tried to hang him. He escaped only because his fiancé (Donna Reed) stood up to the crowd and forced them at gunpoint to let him go. So who did the killing and why? And, what is the secret that Reed hides that comes as a huge surprise to her ex-fiancé? Tune in and see.
This film is highly reminiscent of a non-western, "Fury". Both concern a man unjustly attacked by a mob that returns to even the score--and both are well worth seeing. Well written, acted and directed--a very good western.