In a dramatic atmosphere, this movie, follows the struggles of three men, who during passing through a small town, struggle against being accused of murdering a farmer and stealing his cattle.
One of the first probes of mob lynch, Wellman's grim, uncompromising expose was critically acclaimed but failed, perhaps because it was released during WWII, when viewers wanted more escapist entertainment
In contrast to the familiar Western device of the hero obliged to take the law into his own hands… a grim, messy cautionary tale about vigilante justice and mob rule.
