Extremely taut (and very short) western, written by Burt Kennedy.
Bounty hunter Randolph Scott needs to take killer James Best (Shock Corridor) to Santa Cruz for hanging; en route, he is joined by Pernell Roberts and James Coburn, who also want the killer so they can claim amnesty for past crimes; plus widow Karen Steele, who knows how to take care of herself with a rifle. Attempting to join this merry party are a group of Indians, who want the woman, and the killer's brother, gang led by Lee Van Cleef. It seems he and Scott have unfinished business, leading us to an ominous looking hanging tree...
Why is it in films of this sort that when the Indians are shot, their horse invariably falls over as well? I suppose it looks more dramatic.
It was shot in California (Santa Cruz is a little south of San Francisco), by Charles Lawton in Cinemascope and Eastmancolor. Music's by Heinz Roehm.
This sweet and funny interchange between Roberts and Coburn reminds us Kennedy went on to make comedy westerns like Support Your Local Sheriff:
"How long have we been riding together?"
"Two years."
"Five years. And I can tell you now you won't be working for me."
"I won't?"
"We'll be partners, straight down the line."
"Well how come?"
" 'Cos I like you."
"You do? I never knew that."
Wonder if the girl followed them?
It was Coburn's debut. Columbia.
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