Robert Mitchum is electrifying - it's a brave performance in a way showing what a complete prick he could be.
He teams well with Gregory Peck whose decency and dullness (maybe that's unfair) is a wonderful counterpoint. Bergen rises to the occasion, particularly in the rape sequence - it's so powerful.
I can understand the censor's unease about some because Peck's daughter (Lori Martin) looks really young. I mean, she looks twelve or something.
A simple story brought to life by excellent cast and writing plus divine photography and Bernard Herrmann's score. It's not exactly a barrell of laughs.
Superb support work from Barrie Chase the girl who got raped - is this is sensational role. Was this Joan Henry's influence on J. Lee Thompson? You don't normally see this kind of sensitivity.
The one flaw - the plan of Peck's character at the end, luring Mitchum into a trap with just one deputy. That's so risky and dumb. And not needed - they just could have Peck and his family go into hiding with a bodyguard.
And the final fight sequence probably drags on a bit.
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