Here's a real western, a sturdy, finely wrought work from masters of the genre in their prime, with lawman-turned-bounty hunter Henry Fonda helping young sheriff Anthony Perkins to hold down his job in a town ravaged by outlaws. Written by Dudley Nichols (Stagecoach) and Oscar-nominated for best story and screenplay, it's directed by maestro Anthony Mann, who takes a linear, classic and deliberately under-emphatic approach, allowing the setting and characters to tell the story. Mann eschews false High Noon ethics and really understands the essence of heroism. The support cast includes faces that belong out west - Lee Van Cleef, John McIntire and the superb Neville Brand. This is an underrated must-see experience.

An experienced bounty hunter helps a young sheriff learn the meaning of his badge.