The first of a marvellous series of movies pairing star James Stewart and director Anthony Mann, this western doesn't really tell the tale of "the gun that won the West". Instead, it focuses on the legendary "one in a thousand" perfect Winchester, seen here as a prize in a Dodge City shooting contest where Will Geer, as Wyatt Earp, presides over sharpshooters Stewart and a brilliantly sneering Stephen McNally. This is a fine, mature work: adult, intelligent and moral, creating a laconic new persona for the admirable Stewart. The brilliant black-and-white camerawork is by Garbo's favourite, William Daniels, and Mann's use of transition (dissolves, fades to black) is exemplary. Also, watch out for a pre-stardom Rock Hudson as Young Bull, and an even younger Tony Curtis as a cavalry trooper.

Lin McAdam rides into town on the trail of Dutch Henry Brown, only to find himself in a shooting competition against him. McAdam wins the prize, a one-in-a-thousand Winchester rifle, but Dutch steals it and leaves town. McAdam follows, intent on settling his old quarrel, while the rifle keeps changing hands and touching a number of lives.