Confederate veteran John Chandler (Alan Ladd) and his traumatised mute son, played by Ladd's son David (rather well) move north and they are not welcomed, except by sympathetic farm owner Olivia de Havailland. Bad guy Dean Jagger and his 2 moronic sons need De Havilland's land - trouble ensues.
More of a family drama set in the west than a typical western, this is nevertheless engaging due to the performance of Ladd and especially De Havailland and an intelligent script. Jagger is a good villain and it's interesting to see Harry Dean Stanton in an early role. There are a few decent set pieces and if you can find a good print, it's very good looking. It is though not though that exciting and although we'll made, it follows a pretty predictable path.
More of a family drama set in the west than a typical western, this is nevertheless engaging due to the performance of Ladd and especially De Havailland and an intelligent script. Jagger is a good villain and it's interesting to see Harry Dean Stanton in an early role. There are a few decent set pieces and if you can find a good print, it's very good looking. It is though not though that exciting and although we'll made, it follows a pretty predictable path.