Mann im Sattel

Average Scott western, at best. There're some darn fine Lone Pine vistas that aren't usually seen, plus mountain scenes from southern Sierras. That's one thing about well-produced westerns— the scenery can sustain even when all else falters. Scott, of course, is Scott, strong-jawed and humorless, carrying the film even when the congested script doesn't. The plot's pretty familiar, rich landowner taking over hero's land, along with a number of subplots. Then too, we've got not just one ingénue, but two. Leslie and Drew may be malt shop girls from the 40's but they do well enough here. I'm glad their hair color differs, otherwise they would be hard to tell apart.

I'm with those who think Rober and Knox too bland to compete with Scott. Also, I agree that Russell would have made a much more vivid villain; too bad he's wasted in what looks like a tacked-on role. And catch how easily Bedoya goes from clown to menace, even without "stinkin' badges". I really did expect sharper results from ace director DeToth. Given the right material, he can be quite affecting, as his western masterpiece Ramrod (1948) proves. As Andrew Sarris points out, few movie makers had a better feel for human treachery than the eye-patch Hungarian. My guess is he regarded the script as little more than a vehicle for Scott, though a few nice fringe touches do emerge, such as the straggler who gets in the way of the showdown.

All in all, the oater's too sprawling in both cast and story to achieve anything more than a scenic time passer.

I really enjoyed this. Most of Scott's films are pretty similar, however in this one its nice to see him commit to the fight much earlier on than he normally does.

Plenty of good action and some well put together characters.

Its interesting to me that they made the head bad guy British, it set a different tone, "I don't belong here so I'll force my way'. This miss fitting gave the character strength and weakness.

The head henchman was a little lacking, good verbally but not given any great opportunities. The other independent lead henchman was also wasted a little and could have added more.

Great film :)

Some of the reviews here nearly dissuaded me from watching this film, which doesn't seem to have been screened much on British TV (certainly I was unaware of it), whereas the Boetticcher and other later Scott Westerns are shown regularly.

"MITS" compared very well indeed with these, and the plot was different to those of "stranger riding into town and trouble"). It's been remarked that Scott was a bit old for the two female leads, but that was the case in many of his later Westerns (and Gary Cooper's too). The colour photography also added to my enjoyment of the film. It was good to see Guinn Williams in a role that wasn't his "comic sidekick" one, and also John Russell as a jealous admirer. Joan Leslie's romantic vacillations were a bit unconvincing, as were the final scenes.

Unlike at least one previous reviewer, I didn't notice the differing appearances of Scott and his fight stand-in, and I doubt that cinema viewers in the early 1950s did either.

(I've just checked the date of release, and was a little surprised, as the film had the "look" of one made late in the decade or even the early 1960s.)

I'm glad that I watched it.

This film begins with a rancher by the name of "Owen Merritt" (Randolph Scott) attempting to adjust to the realization that his former girlfriend "Laurie Bidwell" (Joan Leslie) has recently agreed to marry an unscrupulous businessman named "Will Isham" (Alexander Knox) in the very near future. And although Will knows Laurie is entering their marriage strictly for financial reasons, he is also aware that she still has feelings for Owen. Because of that, he becomes even more intent to take everything else Owen has as well. What he doesn't realize, however, is that Owen isn't the type who can be bullied and he is more than capable of taking care of himself if he is pushed too far. Now, rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be an okay Western for the most part which benefited by solid performances by Randolph Scott, Joan Leslie and Ellen Drew (as "Nan Melotte"). On that note, I must admit that the relationship between Owen and Laurie seemed rather odd at times but other than that this film managed to pass the time fairly well and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Good yarn, nasty baddies and strong goodies with great scenery and a terrific punch up in the mountains - sorry for grandpas cabin. Randolph Scott in one of his better movies.