I liked the "church bells" soundtrack. It was unique but I didn't find it jarringly incongruous. The first act was the best, but the rest of the film was still pretty good. I think it's a solid Western with a lot of drive.
SPOILERS FOLLOW:
I also found the story thought-provoking in that it's a commentary on spousal abuse, not just Sarah's motives for murder but the couple in the stagecoach as well. Plus Marshal Speakes was guilty of the "Eli Syndrome." Eli was a legitimate priest in the Old Testament who spoiled his sons and allowed them to run amok, carnally speaking, in their temple service. This ultimately brought God's judgment and their deaths. Just so, Bill Speakes was obviously a solid citizen, cattle baron and marshal who spoiled his son. His kin-bias wouldn't allow him to see the other side of the story; it blinded him. Although he WAS a good man and in some ways even a great man his kin-bias was his weakness and the "Eli Syndrome" successfully corrupted him. This is why he deserved his fate at the end.
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