Lack of good storyline.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Luke Short wrote the western novel upon which this movie directed by Richard Thorpe is based. It tells the story of an aging Cattle man (Roy Collins) who's own ambitious son (Robert Walker) has grown envious and resentful of his step brother Owen (Burt Lancaster) for receiving the praise of his father and the love of his wife. (Joanne Dru) So much so, each day he secretly schemes to cheat his father out of what he believes is his rightful due. Indeed, with the help of brothers Hub and Dick Faskken (John Ireland/Hugh O'Brian) and heavy, Herb Backett (Ted de Corsia) the trio plan something much more deadly. The movie is filled with beautiful landscapes, enormous herds of cattle and exciting cowboy action. The movie is standard fare for the 1950's and yet exciting enough to entertain todays modern audiences. This is early Lancaster who gives a powerful performance and is easily enhanced with a good cast. Give a notice to heavy Hugh O'Brian who in a decade's time will become TV's Marshal Wyatt Earp. With little effort, this movie has become a western Classic. ****

Burt Lancaster's first Western is worth watching.Here's what I liked:Burt is at his charming best. Very likable character played with a lot of heart. Maybe the first in a long line of "cattle baron's adopted son foremen". See Arthur Kennedy in "the Man From Laramie" and Charlton Heston in "The Big Country".Robert Walker is excellent as the sniveling bounder.The movie abounds in heavies. John Ireland and Hugh O'Brian do a nice job playing a couple of mean brothers bent on revenge.Very unusual for its time to have an unwed mother at the center of the plot.Nice location shooting in the high Rockies. A lot of effort went into portraying a realistic cattle drive.Here's what wasn't so great:Plot and characterizations are a little too simplistic and melodramatic.Joann Dru took a step back for me in this one. Was it her hairdo? Can I be that superficial?Very little comic reliefA few plot holes, the worst of which is Burt Lancaster outdrawing Robert Walker in the end when is has been conclusively demonstrated previously that Walker is a faster draw. Also, the unwed mother was at the center of the plot, then disappears."Cattle baron" Westerns leave little room for Indian, Civil War and Mexican themes.

Feckless cowboy, married but also semi-secretly the father of an infant born to an unwed neighbor girl, allows his foster-brother to take the rap when the vengeful brother of the tight-lipped lass comes to town packing heat. Oater opens with a laughably clichéd narration by a Jimmy Stewart sound-alike informing us this is a yarn about "cow country and cow punchers, cattle, and men. Worn leather, saddles, blisters and branding irons!" Unfortunately, it turns out to be a rather wan, dim horse-opera, with Robert Walker's rotter one-dimensionally written and portrayed (he whips a horse that won't let him ride, a signal to us that his wife--who only has one Sunday dress--is miserable at home). Burt Lancaster, occasionally unshaven and cat-like in his movements, broods sexily and is the only reason to watch the picture. *1/2 from ****

Enjoyed this great Classic 1951 film since Burt Lancaster was born and raised in New York City and since this was his first western film, he had to learn how to ride horses and took plenty of instructions from professionals. Burt plays the role as Owen Daybright who was adopted by a very rich cattle baron and he was very much loved. However, Lee Strobie, (Robert Walker) was the real son of the cattle baron and he was spoiled rotten and a big trouble maker. Owen always protects him from trouble and fought his battles whenever they occurred. Lee marries Jen, (Joanne Dru) and they live happy for a few years and then Lee has an affair with Lily Fasken, (Sally Forrest) and he gives her a baby. This is when the trouble starts and Owen is accused of being the father of the child and Owen takes the rap and is hunted down by Lily's brothers and family. Great film with plenty of drama and a great Burt Lancaster Western. Enjoy.