John Russell (Paul Newman) was raised among the Apache and currently lives among them. However, his livelihood has gone bust at the same time that he inherits a boarding house. Jessie (Diane Cilento) runs the house and expects to continue in that role. Russell instead decides to sell the house and use the proceeds to purchase a herd of horses in Bixby. Though stagecoach service has recently been ended, Alexander Favor (Frederic March) and his wife, Audra (Barbara Rush), offer a premium for a one-off trip. Several others take advantage of the stagecoach, including Russell, Jessie, a married couple from the boarding house, and Cicero Grimes (Richard Boone). During the first leg of the trip, the Favors take a clear dislike to Russell and his Apache attitudes. In fact, almost everyone in the stagecoach has reason to dislike Russell. However, when the stagecoach meets bandits on the road, everyone looks to Russell as the one most capable of leading them out of the desert alive.
Newman plays the role with action rather than dialogue. His facial expression gives the impression he is always playing poker. He does not announce his intentions, thus allowing others - who think ill of him already - to decide on the worst of motives. That he doesn't follow some expected notions of fairness also paints him unsympathetically. Or does it? Cilento probably has the most dialogue on any character and she is usually explaining how Russell has no empathy. Boone is excellent as a heavy. His initial introduction where he bullies his way into a ticket on the stagecoach sets the tone. However, he proves to have a perverse sense of humor when he shows just how manly he can be to a naive woman who admires his manliness.
The movie ends suddenly. Though all the characters have had their motives revealed, it is unclear what will happen next. In that, it sort of reminded me of Harper, which ended at a point of a decision. Overall, good popcorn fun and recommended.
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