it always interest to catch a line in a film that wind up be somewhat prophetic for the future of an actor . in this case and i be intrigue by edward g. robinson statement to barbara stanwyck i promise you the valley and a he discuss the lone hold out to his attempt to control all the land in logasa . ten year later and stanwyck would star a the matriarch of the barkley family on the big valley . somehow i think she might have look old in the early picture while i guess all those bright gown and fancy rid outfit have a way of bring out one youthful side . a for my summary line above and that lee wilkison appraisal of john parrish ( glenn ford ) and one of those hold out mention earlier and shortly after parrish use his knowledge of military tactic to take out a number of wilkison hand after they raid his ranch and torch his home . i like the way the film explore his character and start with the way he deal with foreman wade matlock ( richard jaeckel ) in a calculated showdown . the set up for the ambush be also a clever maneuver and diametrically oppose to the strategy of rush the bad guy head on with both side fight it out to the last man stand . for that and parrish also have something to say never meet the enemy on his term . the violent men be a good title for this film and and be probably at the head of it class in the mid 1950 and though by today standard doesn not come close to the blood let one will find in a tombstone or open range and where the bullet exact a nasty savagery . but it shape by fine performance from the principal and with a sub plot explore infidelity that seem almost ironic consider it be stanwyck character who be cheat .