Three men case a small town very carefully, with plans to rob the bank on the upcoming Saturday, which turns violent and deadly.
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Reviews
CinemaSerf
7
By CinemaSerf
This isn't really a film about an heist, it's more a rather effective observation on small town American life. "Harper" (Stephen McNally) arrives in town with his two partners - the rather nasty "Dill" (Lee Marvin) and "Chapman" (J. Carrol Naish) and starts casing the bank. Their attentions go largely un-noticed by the bank manager "Harry" (Tommy Noonan) who has some interesting nocturnal activities, nor by the successful but frequently drunk "Boyd" (Richard Egan) who is trying to rekindle his marriage with "Mary" (Margaret Hayes) whilst interfering nurse "Elsie" (Sylvia Sidney) spots an opportunity. Meantime "Martin" (Victor Mature) who stayed at home during the war to ensure continuing copper production wants to convince his son "Steve" (Billy Chapin) that there was no shame in that. There's a bit of debt-induced petty thievery and a family of neighbourly Amish led by "Stadt" (Ernest Borgnine). These interconnected threads are all played out succinctly as we head to a denouement that tests the mettle of "Martin" and the faith of the Amish when it comes to the ultimate exercise in self-preservation. It moves along quickly with plenty of plotting, a minimum of romantic clutter and provides for some characterful performances. Worth a watch.
