Psychological explorations in the Southwest wilds

The story revolves around a Deputy Marshal in Arizona (Sterling Hayden) going after a ruthless killer (Guy Prescott) in the sunny wasteland, where he sort of teams-up with a spitfire (Yvonne De Carlo) and a suave bounty hunter (Zachary Scott).

This is an obscure lil' 50’s Western so my expectations weren’t exactly great, but it’s actually pretty unique and commendable. At first, I thought it was going to be a town-bound Western, but the movie was shot primarily in the spectacular desert wilderness of the heart of Arizona (with the opening done at Vasquez Rocks and the town scenes shot at Universal City). Hayden is laconic and determined while De Carlo is spirited and beautiful; meanwhile Scott is smooth and Prescott shady.

I like the psychological examination of the characters. Although the villain is wholly corrupt, most of the others function somewhere in the grey area, which makes for interesting social dynamics. The depiction of the Apaches is thankfully believable with many of them being of Amer-Indian stock. Lastly, the showdown in the last act is well done and inventive.