| Director | Richard Brooks |
|---|---|
| Genre | Western film |
| Runtime | 131 min |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $4 million |
| Box office | $11 million |
Based on actual events of the early twentieth century, the story concerns a grueling cross-country horse race in 1906, with a winner-take-all prize of $2,000 ($ today), and the way it affects the lives of its various participants.
The fifteen colorful contestants include: two former Rough Riders named Sam Clayton and Luke Matthews who can't let friendship come between them if they intend to win; Miss Jones, a lady of little virtue; Carbo, a punk kid; Mister, an old cowhand in poor health; Sir Harry Norfolk, an English gentleman who's competing just for the sheer sport of it all; and a Mexican with a toothache who literally needs to bite the bullet. All must race against a thoroughbred of championship pedigree owned by Jack Parker, a wealthy man who has no intention of seeing his entry lose.
The film touches on the themes of sportsmanship, animal cruelty, the yellow press, racism, the end of the Old West and the bonds of marriage and friendship. As the race progresses, the conditions test not only the endurance of horses and riders but also their philosophies of life and the meaning of victory and defeat.
When Miss Jones helps free her beau Steve from a railway chain gang, they steal the contestants' horses and attempt to escape. The convicts are pursued and the riders get their mounts back, and the race is able to continue. Miss Jones, now free of her former boyfriend Steve's malevolent influence, rides away into the countryside.
In the end, with all but three of the contestants knocked out of the race, Clayton and Matthews cross the finish line together as co-champions, beating the championship thoroughbred by a matter of minutes to win the prize money, plus any side bets they had placed.