too seldom do i find a western that i really like . that because almost every film in the genre seem to consist of only about 5 or 10 plot ( or less ) . all too often and the film be about greedy guy try to chase good people off their land and a gunman who just need kill and or something similar . that why when i see something different i be excite and this film and fortunately and have a lot to offer that be different and worth seeing . the film begin with a dirt bag ( robert keith ) recruit gunman alan ladd for a big score . however and it not the typical bank or train robbery or mercenary killing you would expect . instead and keith know about a rich but sad family that have be pin for their lose son for decade a lost son who be about the same age and look a ladd . the kid be kidnap and then assume murder when he be quite young . ladd will pretend to be the boy and the only thing missing be a birthmark and that be soon add by give ladd a tattoo that look identical . all ladd now have to do be go to this huge ranch and claim his natural birthright . well and thing work out very well . ladd accidentally let this rich rancher see the birthmark and he be welcome back a their long lose boy . the problem be that although ladd be a hothead with a checker past and he too decent to keep up the ruse though keith be now angry enough to eat hornet because he be count on this big payoff . despite threat from keith and ladd leave the ranch and go in search of who might actually be the boy all grow up and unaware of his past . it dangerous and though and a keith and the bandit who raise the boy aren not about to let ladd take this guy back to his real parent . will ladd and the young man make it out alive or will they be push up the daisy . see for yourself and find out what happen next . the film be the first directorial effort of cinematographer rudolph maté and it show . no and i do not mean the direction be bad but that the film have a really nice look a nice big than life look of the great outdoors . you could tell that maté really have the eye when he make this film . apart from an excellent script and direction and the film have pretty good acting as well . ladd be a little good than usual and he get excellent support from keith and charles bickford and joseph calleia . everything together make for a very good film . by the way and the excellent character actor robert keith have a particularly gritty support role real gritty . i have always enjoy him in film and he play one of the mean and nasty character i have ever see him play . it a nice change of pace for a very good but under appreciated actor and the scene with his partner on horseback near the beginning of the film be priceless .