This is a superb movie that deals with the questions of justice, what makes a community, intolerance, and hatred. Big topics in other words and there is a big cast that delivers here. Spency Tracy is terrific as the outsider, the force from the civilized world (the director set this up beautifully with the opening scene of Tracy dressed in a suit getting off a gleaming train in the middle of the desert; it is the first time in 4 years the train stopped at this little pothole of a town).
The director, with a beautiful script and top acting, builds excitement: who is this mysterious man, played by Spencer Tracy and what is he up to? At first, it appears he is some kind of a wimp, a big city guy in over his head and Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin are real thugs and frightening. So too is Robert Ryan, not usually one of my favorite actors, but the director, John Sturges gets a great performance out of him. Walter Brennan is also terrific as a kind of washed up, small town hick doctor. He's the only one in town who has any iota of decency left in him. Gradually, behind Tracy, the town gathers enough strength to face down the bad guys. It's a typical story from westerns, or from WWII movies as well.
Tracy is brilliant here and clearly outshines an all star cast. Ernest Borgnine is the epitome of evil and hatred here (in real life he was a great guy).
This film has it all: tight script with some great lines, great acting, great directing, and a climactic ending.
The director, with a beautiful script and top acting, builds excitement: who is this mysterious man, played by Spencer Tracy and what is he up to? At first, it appears he is some kind of a wimp, a big city guy in over his head and Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin are real thugs and frightening. So too is Robert Ryan, not usually one of my favorite actors, but the director, John Sturges gets a great performance out of him. Walter Brennan is also terrific as a kind of washed up, small town hick doctor. He's the only one in town who has any iota of decency left in him. Gradually, behind Tracy, the town gathers enough strength to face down the bad guys. It's a typical story from westerns, or from WWII movies as well.
Tracy is brilliant here and clearly outshines an all star cast. Ernest Borgnine is the epitome of evil and hatred here (in real life he was a great guy).
This film has it all: tight script with some great lines, great acting, great directing, and a climactic ending.