Themes: Journey of Self-Discovery, Bounty Hunters, Sheriffs and Outlaws
Main Cast: Anthony Quinn, William Conrad, George Trevino, Lita Milan, Victor Millan
Release Year: 1957
Country: US
Run Time: 79 minutes
Plot
Produced by former radio star William Conrad, this taut psychological Western features Conrad as Chris Hamish, a lawman assigned to bring back from Mexico accused murderer Robert Kallen (Anthony Quinn). Locating Kallen in a small Mexican pueblo proves easy enough, but bringing him to justice becomes a major task, as Hamish and his prisoner must traverse a seemingly endless desert alive with hostile Apaches. Hamish has promised his girlfriend, Elena (Lita Milan), to return safe and sound, and Kallen plays on both Hamish's innate decency and the lawman's increasing paranoia, with the trek quickly turning into a game of cat and mouse. Until, that is, the duo comes across a young child (Ellen Hope Monroe) orphaned by the Apaches, whose presence helps bring out the last embers of decency in both hunter and hunted. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Review
Although frequently seen on television in later years, this black-and-white Western drama deserves still more recognition. Both Anthony Quinn and William Conrad have since become Hollywood icons but neither play on perceived characteristics here. Both screenplay and direction are taut and to the point, and this is one Western in which Mexicans speak Spanish and not the stereotypical Hollywood jargon all too often employed elsewhere. The Ride Back! comes complete with a title song performed, rather incongruously, by actor Eddie Albert. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Ellen Hope Monroe - Child; Joe Dominguez - Luis; Louis Towers - Boy
Credit
William Glasgow - Art Director, Oscar Rodriguez - Costume Designer, Allen Miner - Director, Michael Luciano - Editor, Frank De Vol - Composer (Music Score), Frank De Vol - Musical Direction/Supervision, Eddie Albert - Songwriter, Joseph Biroc - Cinematographer, William Conrad - Producer, Antony Ellis - Screenwriter
