This is far from being a high budget blockbuster with sweeping cinematography, high level production values and innovative writing. It has to rely on the actors working on sets that could have and probably were used in television westerns. Fortunately, the actors, most being solid character types, deliver the goods very professionally and carry the story and the viewer's interest. That acting even manages to overcome some dull and predictable directing.
Dana Andrews shows the effects of years of alcohol by this point and although that actually plays to the lead character, one suspects the movie would have been elevated with someone like Glenn Ford in that role but no doubt he would have needed a higher pay cheque as well. Terry Moore could have been given more to do as they downplayed romance in favour of the building confrontation. But she definitely looks good handles what she is given well.
Pat O'Brien, Lon Chaney Jr., Bruce Cabot, Lyle Bettger, Richard Arlen, Barton MacLane, Richard Jaeckel all show up like old friends who have done these roles a dozen times each but what could have been stale characterizations are instead well dished out from practised professionals still trying to earn their pay and their next job.
Dana Andrews shows the effects of years of alcohol by this point and although that actually plays to the lead character, one suspects the movie would have been elevated with someone like Glenn Ford in that role but no doubt he would have needed a higher pay cheque as well. Terry Moore could have been given more to do as they downplayed romance in favour of the building confrontation. But she definitely looks good handles what she is given well.
Pat O'Brien, Lon Chaney Jr., Bruce Cabot, Lyle Bettger, Richard Arlen, Barton MacLane, Richard Jaeckel all show up like old friends who have done these roles a dozen times each but what could have been stale characterizations are instead well dished out from practised professionals still trying to earn their pay and their next job.