It’s a real disappointment that this film clocks in at just an hour and twenty minutes! A group of Confederate soldiers on a particular assignment attack a Union force transporting gold, with the intention of using it to benefit the Confederacy. However, they discover from a barely-alive Union survivor that General Lee has surrendered and the war ended a month earlier. Now guilty of committing murder outside of wartime regulations, these men are pursued by questionable deputies. They take a stagecoach hostage and barricade themselves in a stage line way station, where internal disagreements and violent thieves create a chaotic night. It’s hard to believe this excellent Western was the only feature film directed by Roy Huggins; it truly is superb. He later became known for his television work like *The Virginian*, *The Rockford Files*, *Maverick* and *The Fugitive*, but it seems he wanted to demonstrate his ability to direct a full-length movie. Although the running time is only around 80 minutes, he must have been very pleased with the final result. Huggins is supported by genre icon Randolph Scott, who plays Major Matt Stewart and delivers a performance reminiscent of his great work for Budd Boetticher in *Ride Lonesome*, *The Tall T* and *Comanche Station*. Donna Reed (as lovely as ever), Lee Marvin (another memorable portrayal of an unpredictable character), Richard Denning and Frank Faylen also contribute to the cast. While some of the other supporting actors don’t stand out quite as much, they all do a decent job and don't detract from the movie. The film is very well constructed; it begins with a striking sequence depicting the Confederate attack on the Union troop, with Charles Lawton Jr.’s photography skillfully showcasing the Lone Pine landscape in Technicolor. From there, the action shifts to the way station, which initially resembles a *Rio Bravo* setup. This could have easily fallen flat if the characters trapped inside were boring and uninspired. Fortunately, Huggins—who also wrote the story as well as directing it—provides interesting characters with smaller conflicts that enrich the plot. This creates a feeling of tension leading up to the inevitable confrontation where a collection of ruthless criminals plotting with hungry menace seek the gold at any cost. It’s not flawless; some characteristics of lower-budget films and budgetary limitations are noticeable, but the overall quality is still remarkably high. From the direction and photography to the performances of the main actors, *Hangman's Knot* is a must-see for serious Western fans. 8/10

Source on TMDB