Slightly Unconvincing

Some rather unconvincing plot devices spoil what should have been a classic western. The cast is extremely well chosen and the two leads, Ford and Heflin, are superb as the charming gang leader and the timid farmer who has to face up to him, but the love interest between Ford and Felicia Farr is too shallow and unlikely. Maybe the script from Elmore Leonard's story was a little too contemporary and clever for what is essentially a cowboy story. Great direction and monochrome filming though.