While passing through the town of Bannock, a bunch of drunken cattlemen go overboard with their celebrating and accidentally kill an old man with a stray shot. They return home to Sabbath unaware of his death. Bannock lawman Jered Maddox later arrives there to arrest everyone involved on a charge of murder. Sabbath is run by land baron Vince Bronson, a benevolent despot, who, upon hearing of the death, offers restitution for the incident.
Acting
Lancaster's jaw could cut glass; Ryan's exhaustion is palpable.
Cinematography
Dusty, cramped interiors that suffocate.
Writing
Gerald Wilson's script lets nobody off easy.
Director
Michael Winner
Burt Lancaster
Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox
Robert Ryan
Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan
Lee J. Cobb
Vincent Bronson
Robert Duvall
Vernon Adams
Sheree North
Laura Shelby
Albert Salmi
Harvey Stenbaugh
Richard Jordan
Crowe Wheelwright
John McGiver
Sabbath Mayor Sam Bolden
Ralph Waite
Jack Dekker
John Beck
Jason Bronson
William Watson
Choctaw Lee
Walter Brooke
Luther Harris
Robert Emhardt
Hersham
Charles Tyner
Minister
J.D. Cannon
Hurd Price
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Winner made this between Chato's Land and Death Wish — his 'men with codes' era. Lancaster reportedly hated the character's inflexibility.
Released during Vietnam, the film's critique of rigid authority and 'just following orders' hit different — though audiences then mostly missed it.
US
