the capable raoul walsh direct this wilderness drama with his usual aplomb and craft a perplexing plot pack with puzzle twist and shadowy mystery . pursue be something of a new mexico film noir represent a psychological thriller fight out in the prairie land and rural country more commonly associate with straight rootin and tootin western shootem ups . the location aside and pursue resonate more a a family melodrama and mystery film while something that the visuals and loop max steiner score rigorously reflect . bob mitchum be down in the mouth and down on his luck here a main man jeb rand . rand a blighted soul saddle with a hazy childhood trauma which reappear in nightmare of gun flash and twinkle spur ( i would be perturb if i have hallucination of a pair of dance cowboy boot . ) . rand ramble story be roll out in flashback taking in the main overbearing threat to his life ( someone want our jeb dead ) and family dispute and several other consequential unfortunate incident . the sad eye and lazy look of mitchum be sort of appropriate for this kind of movie and and the story be further strengthen by the solid support cast of teresa wright and judith anderson and dean jagger . pursue be a bit confusing and be a little lacking in punch and but it make for an engrossing and unusual western watch . the noirish element and jeb tragic background and emotional obstacle make the movie more effective and add interesting angle to the action . it may be convolute and but with the mitchum on form in front of fantastic backdrop and pursue be a prairie potboiler that worth make a pas at .