A retired army officer,Major White is killed in the town of Owell Rock and but an eye witness has evidence that the murderers were led by Doc Lester,eldest son of a neighbouring tyrannical family. However while on the way to the judge the witness is caught by Lesters men who force the towns doctor to cut out his tongue.
Fifteen years later the Majors son Lawrence(Stephen Forsyth) and Elizabeth,the beautiful daughter of Colonel Pearson arrive at Owell Rock having just survived an attack from Lesters men on route,and were saved by quick on the draw drifter Harry Boyd(Mark Damon).Lawrence learns from his sister Jane that their father was murdered by the Lesters for his land,and that the murder had been pinned on a Mexican Rodriguez who had fled.Reluctantly the seemingly cowardly Lawrence pursues getting the judge to re-open the case but the odds are stacked against with the Lesters now ruling the town and Colonel Pearson,the town doctor and sheriff are all murdered.However Boyd is still in town and causing all sorts of problems with Lesters men.
Full of surprises I found this western hugely entertaining and theres a real clever twist about an hour into the movie.Mark Damon is excellent as the happy go lucky drifter who handles himself well with his fists in addition to his gun prowess.The shoot out and gun duels in the finale were handled imaginatively,and the musical score very enjoyable too.
My rating ,8 out of 10.
