A disquieting, and rather gloomy western with a dark, even violent edge that disappointingly unfolds off-screen too often. Well, at least for a good chunk of the film. You mostly hear about, or see the aftermath of what a murderous renegade Indian is leaving behind in his quest to retrieve his son. Who has fled with his white mother, and is now residing with Peck's sympathetic former army scout.
Deliberately slow-paced for three quarters, favouring moody exchanges and minor character beats instead of anything truly suspenseful or visually impactful (in spite of the beautifully projected mountainous backdrops). It really does sneak up on you, as there's constant foreshadowing of what's to come. Probably a little drawn out, and underplayed. Still it gets by on the strong performances of Gregory Peck, Eva Marie Saint and Robert Forster in support. It does pick up in the last quarter when it turns into a rugged siege/cat-and-mouse encounter between Peck and Nathaniel Narcisco's ghost-like Indian. Although I just wish it was a little more consistent in developing on the suspense/thrills throughout, then leaving it all to the well-staged finale.
Deliberately slow-paced for three quarters, favouring moody exchanges and minor character beats instead of anything truly suspenseful or visually impactful (in spite of the beautifully projected mountainous backdrops). It really does sneak up on you, as there's constant foreshadowing of what's to come. Probably a little drawn out, and underplayed. Still it gets by on the strong performances of Gregory Peck, Eva Marie Saint and Robert Forster in support. It does pick up in the last quarter when it turns into a rugged siege/cat-and-mouse encounter between Peck and Nathaniel Narcisco's ghost-like Indian. Although I just wish it was a little more consistent in developing on the suspense/thrills throughout, then leaving it all to the well-staged finale.