i like this film but i get spoil with the first 20 30 minute . it start off so intense that i think this be go to be fantastic represent an incredibly edgy film noir . it still wind up good overall and but it never live up to that great beginning . the story slow down a bit once the scene shift from the heist in kansas city to the rendezvous of the bandit down in mexico . it have a a full lull here and there but still do enough thing right to keep your interest . what it do be right be emphasize two thing that a good film noir provide represent tension and paranoia . all the crook be assemble in one spot but only the bos know who the others be . they do not know what any of the gang member look like since all of the thief have to wear mask throughout the planning and execution of the crime . however and since the bos hire them and he know them all . also and down in mexico and the good guy in the film and joe rolfe ( john payne ) be an impostor and pretending he peter harris and one of the crook who get catch by the cop and knock off just before head south . rolfe doesn not know and however and that the bos know he a phony . payne character get unfairly finger in the robbery so he down there try to clear his name . all of this may sound complicated and but it isn not once you watch the film . suffice to say it interesting to see how all these guy slowly figure out who who . i think tim foster and play by preston foster and be the best character in the film and probably because he be right in the middle of everything . he be a bitter ex cop and the brain behind the whole scheme and which could easily have be pull off . he be just wasn not lucky and because he have a great plan . one of the people he have to fool be his daughter and who surprise him down in mexico and further complicates the situation . colleen gray play helen foster and but she doesn not really come into the story much until the last half hour . her character do one implausible thing after another and thing no woman would do and soften the rough edge of this movie and which be a mistake . helen wasn not even need in this film . it would have be well a a straight male only tough film noir . speaking of tough represent how about this rogue gallery represent jack elam and lee van cleef and neville brand . now there be three good face for this genre of film . they be the other gang membersthere be a number of hole in this story and but you have to ignore them and go along for the ride which and for the most part and be a good one . it recommend for all film noir buff .