When the story begins, Donald Martin (Van Johnson) arrives at his brother Pat's (Joseph Cotten) ranch during a horrific rainstorm. You really don't know exactly what's happening but you know that Donald is on the run from the law. Soon, the house is filled with guests, as Pat and his wife are having a party. So, Donald is introduced to everyone...and you still wonder exactly what had happened.
So what had happened? Apparently several years earlier, Donald killed someone in a bar fight and claimed it was in self-defense. You also learned that at that time, Pat did nothing to help or even acknowledge him. Additionally, Donald is shocked to learn that Pat's wife had no idea she even had a brother-in-law! So, there is a lot of tension between them....and waiting for the swollen river is a must. The problem is that Donald's family is waiting for him in Mexico...and they are broke and need him. So what's next?? Well, quite a bit....but I'll leave it up to you to see this movie.
This one starts slowly and didn't grab my interest until about midway through the picture. So hold on....it's worth it in the long run and it's an excellent story that's about so much more than a prison escape.
So what had happened? Apparently several years earlier, Donald killed someone in a bar fight and claimed it was in self-defense. You also learned that at that time, Pat did nothing to help or even acknowledge him. Additionally, Donald is shocked to learn that Pat's wife had no idea she even had a brother-in-law! So, there is a lot of tension between them....and waiting for the swollen river is a must. The problem is that Donald's family is waiting for him in Mexico...and they are broke and need him. So what's next?? Well, quite a bit....but I'll leave it up to you to see this movie.
This one starts slowly and didn't grab my interest until about midway through the picture. So hold on....it's worth it in the long run and it's an excellent story that's about so much more than a prison escape.