Watch this movie for Anthony Quinn's unhinged performance. Do not expect anything from anybody else in the movie. The color is great, locations are great. Ava Gardner looks like she's shell-shocked. But Quinn is at his best and that was pretty damn good.

DISCLAIMER: My comments below are all directed at the script, and not at the great actors who give worthwhile performances in this movie.It is hard to figure the motivations of the leading characters. Taylor portrays a dark character who just gets darker and darker, but we don't get any real essence of Rio's motivations. Taylor is great as tight-lipped, sparse-worded Rio, but you constantly want to understand "whats up with this guy?".Keel is fine as a one-dimensional empire builder, but it is so ridiculous when he hires Rio and entrusts his life (and his wife's!) immediately after Rio tries to kill him. I have seen this movie on TV twice, and both times this scene makes me say out loud "uh-uh, no way". If I ever see it in a theater, I will be the guy in the audience talking back to the screen. What's really too bad is that the acting is good in this scene, the set is good, the color photography is good, etc. Gardner is fine as a genteel lady, but it is not believable when she suddenly demands to go see Quinn at his hideout. Maybe OK if she had been teary-eyed and desperate, bravely going forth to save her husband, but no: as presented, her decision seems bland and unbelievable. Not Gardner's fault, just the script and/or director.Quinn does a good job but his character seems to have no motivation at all, other than some sort of nostalgia for his childhood with his momma and Rio.Well-made movie, some suspense, will probably hold your interest. However, the good production values, acting etc cannot overcome the basic oddity of these characters as presented. Some of their actions are truly unexplainable.

By keeping quiet, speaking only when necessary Robert Taylor as Rio gives one of his best performances. All through the film you try to guess what he is thinking. He was adopted by the mother of Esqueda (Anthony Quinn) and Quinn loves and respects him. The real surprise is Howard Keel, who only used to do musicals, coming out so well as King Cameron, a man who is obstinate about building a cattle empire. Cameron is married to Cordelia (Ava Gardner) and as soon as she arrives in a river boat, and they go to their ranch, trouble starts because it has been burnt by Esqueda. Why did Esqueda do it? Because he knows that if he allows anybody to do well in business in that area, others will come and eventually he, who is a bandit will have to run away or be hanged. Quinn is great as Esqueda, just that makes the film worth seeing. Taylor, who was the second man to Quinn in the gang, eventually leaves him to help Keel, because deep down he knows his brother is becoming a crazy monster and unconsciously he is in love with Ava. But when she kisses him, he slaps her because he knows it is wrong. He is a torn man, with all those feelings and not knowing exactly what to do about it. Excellent film, not to be missed.

Set in the area around Brownsville ,Texas in the immediate post Civil War era this is a splendid if slightly over heated picture.The area is dominated by Mexican bandido Esqueda ,well played by Anthony Quinn, who with the aid of his Anglo sidekick Rio(a taciturn but effective Robert Taylor)seeks to ensure settlers do not occupy the region as he views them as a threat to the way of life he has established.Trouble arrives in the form of Howard Keel who ,with wife Ava Gardner by his side is set on resisting all attempts to drive him out of the territory.Rio is won over to the cause ,somewhat more due to the beauteous Gardner than to any principled reasons.The scene is set for the final confrontation between Rio and Esqueda in the town saloonThere are hints of a repressed sexual attraction for Taylor by Quinn in the script anticipating the theme of his role in Warlock( probably still the most grievously neglected Western classic) and the Taylor character displaying a penchent for an early version of gay chic in the clothing department underscores this The Quinn character is not a one dimensional villain-there is a reason for his stance and he displays a marked religious bentGood support from the great Jack Elam and Kurt Kaznar as the priest who takes a stand against Quinn.Gardner while beautiful was no great shakes as an actress and this together with an over stolid turn from Keel are the only real problems with the movie