Aggiungi una trama nella tua linguaVirgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and eve... Leggi tuttoVirgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and everyone else's.Virgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and everyone else's.
- Regia
- Sceneggiatura
- Star
- Dr. Creighton
- (as Harry Harvey Sr.)
Trama
Lo sapevi?
- QuizThe role of Virgil Renchler was originally supposed to be played by Robert Middleton. The William Morris Agency instead suggested Orson Welles, who badly needed money to pay income taxes he owned to the Internal Revenue Service.
- BlooperMany characters comment about the heat, saying the temperature must be well over 100 degrees, yet even though they are all wearing long sleeves, ties, even suits, no one is ever sweating. The only ones with even a bit moisture on them are the old man and one of the henchmen.
- Citazioni
Ben Sadler: There isn't a yard of guts in this whole town. This isn't a town, it's a trained dog act! I'm tired of gettin' pushed around! One way or another I'm gonna get myself a couple of murderers tonight.
- ConnessioniReferenced in The Veil: Summer Heat (1958)
The cattle town of Spurline is ruled by Virgil Renchler (Welles), one man refuses to bow to his despotic rule - Sheriff Ben Sadler (Chandler).
Obreos No Son Permitidos A Traves De Esta Cerca.
The above statement means that field hands are not permitted beyond this fence, it's an opening salvo that greets viewers of this atmospheric and relevant CinemaScope picture, and it's something that perfectly sets up the unseemly tone of the story.
The story is simple enough, a town is run by an unsavoury business man who thinks he and his cronies are above the law, the townsfolk think he is as well and tow the line, even in view of the overt racism and treatment to those of other ethnicity. When a murder is committed it brings in the upright and loyal to the law Sheriff, who as you might guess will have to stand alone against tyranny.
"Now you're shocked? All you decent people were shocked? For god's sake why? Because my name's Ben Sadler instead of Juan Martine, cuz I'm a tax payer instead of a drifter?"
With mood established, both in narrative thrust and monochrome magic, film is more concerned with political bile, the abuse of power and troubled consciousness than being an action piece. You may well know how this is all going to end, but it's told and performed in such a gripping fashion that it holds court from first frame till last. A number of striking images would grace many a film noir, the night shots of the town, a dastardly crime perpetrated in the shadow of a swinging lamp, the ominous lighting of the Renchler Ranch, and then there's the potency of the criminal acts, which are admirably constructed. Both Arnold and Arling proving to have keen eyes for visual impact.
Welles doesn't have to stretch himself but makes a telling mark as the big bad, while Larch does a nice line in snarly henchmen villainy. Sadly where Miller is concerned, as Renchler's daughter it's a token role that any gal could have played, the role seemingly only serving to have her strip to her undies and be annoyed with her dad. Head and shoulders above everyone is Chandler, there are those who call him wooden (amongst over things), not a bit of it. The right role, such as this, showcases his worth, his subtleties, his physicality and a calming grace that makes one lament his too short career and life.
Thematically this sort of piece has been done much better elsewhere, but this is laudable stuff all told and well worth discovering for potential first time viewers. 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- 18 ago 2017
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Dettagli
Botteghino
- Budget
- 600.000 USD (previsto)
- Tempo di esecuzione1 ora 20 minuti
- Colore
- Proporzioni
- 2.35 : 1