Audie Murphy's first Western and although he's inexperienced he's extremely effective as Billy the Kid - all cherub cheeks, small in stature, thick Texas drawl, shy, quick on the draw, uneasy around women and civilisation yet drawn to both, easily offended, loyal to those who are kind of him, greatly affected by music (it soothes the savage beast), moves like lightning... and most of all full of seething violence and resentment which is barely beneath the surface. You can sense it burning within him constantly - it's as though when he shoots someone he's relieved.
Universal had a habit of freely raiding history for their costume pictures - well, they weren't making a documentary and at least they pay some lip service to it. We have Governor Lew Wallace, Pat Garrett, a stand in for Tunstall, the range war, a break out, and Billy's eventual death at Garrett's hands. It's done while he's drawn to a window listening to Gale Storm play the piano, which is a nice King Kong-esque touch.
This film has bright colour, a fast pace and plenty of action, and a great central character. I liked it a lot and I hope Murphy was proud of his work in it.
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