jimmy stewart and anthony mann team to do some of the best western ever make and this be one of the best . the real star of the film however be the spectacular canadian rockies that serve a a backdrop for the story . some of the best cinematography ever do in the history of film . in all five of the western that stewart and mann do together the support role be perfectly cast . no exception here and right down to part that might only have a few line and the character be firmly etch with those line . stewart be a cynical hard bitten loner in this film whose only real friend be his sidekick walter brennan . it brennan death at the hand of the villain that make him want to finally free the gold settlement from the bad guy and incidentally redeem himself in the process . john mcintire be the head villain of the piece and he be an under appreciated actor with a vast range . he could play delightful old codger and authority figure and in this case a particularly nasty and crafty villain . one of the best western ever .