Surprisingly Rewarding

This low key western is well worth an hour and a half of your time, for it's surfeit of Death Valley locations and its compelling narrative carrying a balanced depiction of white /indian cultural clashes played out against an unforgiving desert landscape.

Though decidedly non - epic in appearance and casting, this unusual western succeeds because of its well drawn characters of whom it is safe to say none are drawn along black and white lines. There are essentially no natural villains and heroes. All behave as influenced by past events as much as by the relentless heat and explicit and implicit dangers of the barren wilderness.

I personally was drawn to Joan Taylor's sole female character who is almost the antithesis of your typical 50's western female lead. Though arguably too glamorous for the role and environment, she appeals especially in the first half of the film with her spunk, resourcefulness and dialogue - free presence.

There are plenty of twists and turns along the way of this desert odyssey, but it is a surprisingly easy and realistically believable tale to follow.