This film is pretty typical of a string of Westerns Jimmy Stewart made in the 1950s. All of them were very good--especially for Westerns, as they rose above a very glutted and mediocre genre. In other words, most Westerns of the time were really predictable and forgettable. Stewart's films, while not exactly "great art", were something more--perhaps due to the acting or perhaps due to the excellent production values, as these films weren't just made in a sound stage or in the Hollywood Hills.
This particular film has an advantage over some of Stewart's other Westerns because it once again pairs him with Arthur Kennedy, though in this film he isn't nearly as slimy. The film concerns Jimmy looking to investigate the illegal sale of repeating rifles to the Apache as well as exact revenge for his brother's death as a result of this sale. Along the way, he meets up with the local bully, Dave Waggoman, who is both a coward and a complete jerk. Well, I don't want to spoil the suspense--let's just say that the story takes a few twists and turns along the way so that the movie is both involving and interesting. The film isn't quite as good as it could be because the story is a little weaker than some Stewart Westerns. The whole business involving Donald Crisp just seems to work itself out too well in the end. But, still this is a film well worth a look.
This particular film has an advantage over some of Stewart's other Westerns because it once again pairs him with Arthur Kennedy, though in this film he isn't nearly as slimy. The film concerns Jimmy looking to investigate the illegal sale of repeating rifles to the Apache as well as exact revenge for his brother's death as a result of this sale. Along the way, he meets up with the local bully, Dave Waggoman, who is both a coward and a complete jerk. Well, I don't want to spoil the suspense--let's just say that the story takes a few twists and turns along the way so that the movie is both involving and interesting. The film isn't quite as good as it could be because the story is a little weaker than some Stewart Westerns. The whole business involving Donald Crisp just seems to work itself out too well in the end. But, still this is a film well worth a look.