This is one of my least favorite films that James Stewart made during the 1950s. Why? Well, because unlike most of his western characters, this one is NOT a good guy. In fact, he's completely amoral and indifferent to the suffering and injustices done to others. He only acts when he personally is involved--even allowing those close to him to suffer immensely.

The film is set in Alaska and the Yukon during the gold rush of the late 19th and early 20th century. Although the setting is different, the film is essentially a very traditional western. There is the usual formulaic bad boss-man (John McIntire) who tries to take over the land and cheat all the poor people out of their land--probably the most common theme in westerns. And, of course, he has his evil sidekicks. And the hero, of sorts, has his own sidekick--the always reliable Walter Brennan. In fact, it's all so very formulaic that I won't bother to elaborate further.

The bottom line is that there is nothing particularly new here and Stewart is almost unlikable! Because of this, despite nice location shooting and decent production values, this is a rather joyless film. Watchable, but not especially fun.

It's 1896 Seattle. Skilled gunslinger Jeff Webster (James Stewart) arrives with his cattle herd and heads for the Klondike gold rush with his friend Ben Tatem (Walter Brennan). He's a wanted man. They get in trouble with Judge Gannon (John McIntire) and get arrested. The Judge releases them after seizing all their cattle. Webster is befriended by saloon owner Ronda Castle and young Renee Vallon. He insists on not sticking out his neck for anybody else until he could take no more from the Judge.

This is a standard old fashion western with James Stewart. It is interesting that Webster is so selfish but it allows his character to grow. Stewart is always the cinematic lead and has the range to pull it off. I expected more romance between him and Ronda. I'm surprised with a piece of the ending. All in all, this is solid but not extraordinary.

Stewart is a Wyoming cattleman who dreams to make enough money to buy a small ranch in Utah ranch… His only real companion is his sidekick Ben Tatum, the great Walter Brennan… To accomplish that, they drive the cattle clear to Alaska and on to Dawson, in Canadian territory, where they sell them...

Along the way they meet the man who runs the gold-crazy town behind a dishonest lawman John McIntire... He attempts to steal them the herd... Later, in Dawson, McIntire and his gang reappear, this time interfering with Stewart's gold claim...

Captured by Mann's camera in the wonderful scenery of the Canadian Rockies, Stewart is a thoughtful loner forced into violence by his need to get rid of the treacherous actions of a corrupt entrepreneur robbing local miners of their claims…

In this entertaining, beautiful Western, Stewart has two leading ladies to struggle with: Ruth Roman, a bit too valuable to describe as a sexy woman resisting the worst vicissitudes of the territory and the more docile, the French Canadian girl Corinne Calvet who does create a nice portrait of a likable girl with the ability to form a judgment... In spontaneous manner, Stewart is lost between the ostentatious saloon owner and the wife-candidate...