Rhonda Fleming is Candace Bronson, a Confederate spy who makes her way through enemy lines to deliver an important message. She is accompanied by Gil Kyle (Glenn Ford), who is falsely accused of murder and needs Candace to testify on his behalf. Though not necessarily sympathetic to the Southern cause, Gil helps Candace complete her mission. Also around and about is Dunn Jeffers (Edmond O'Brien), a mysterious cattle-buyer who seems willing to help Gil and Candace. As Civil War comes to a close, they'll run into desperados, government agents, and guerrilla fighters who are more interested in profit than ideals.

An extremely interesting western that almost veers into noir-mode - almost every single character is on edge and pretending to be something they really are not, leading to several surprising reversals. Glenn Ford is a living legend who seemed born to the saddle. On display in this film (once again) is his strong, yet amiable cowboy screen persona. Rhonda Fleming, one of the most beautiful women to ever walk the planet, is a major plus as the determined Confederate spy who is in just a little bit over her head. Edmond O'Brien was so good at playing both good and bad guys that this type of duplicitous role suits him perfectly. And keep an eye (and an ear) out for Alan Reed - the voice of Fred Flintstone - here playing a Confederate Colonel. The film moves at a fast pace with a very interesting storyline that is not overly complicated. Pacing and script development are well done.