this movie neither succeed a a film noir nor a western . the story be sporadic and doesn not have any drive it do not make me want to keep watching after i be well into it . the acting be hammy and stagy . the characterization be not consistent throughout the movie it like any character can change his or her mindset at any time . the big secret that be reveal at the end be easily guess a long time before the big revelation . james wong howe photography be the only redeeming factor in this oater . i be truly disappointed after read so many good review on this web page . oh well and i guess i can trade this at the used dvd store for film that show robert mitchum and teresa wright and dame judith anderson in good role . if you like film noir and these star and i highly recommend night of the hunter 1955 ( mitchum ) and the little foxes 1941 ( wright ) and and rebecca 1940 ( anderson ) .