Robert Mitchum’s performance elevates this atmospheric Film Noir Western, taking place around the time New Mexico was entering a new era. The story centers on a man raised on a ranch (played by Robert Mitchum), who is troubled by events from his past as he leaves to participate in the Spanish-American War. When he comes back, he finds himself drawn to Thorley (Teresa Wright) while also navigating a complicated dynamic with his brother, John Rodney. Looming over everything is the mysterious presence of a one-armed man portrayed by Dean Jagger. “Pursued” (1947) is a well-made black and white Western that has gained a significant notoriety because it was reportedly the film Jim Morrison watched before he died on July 3, 1971. Mitchum was only 29 years old when filming took place, and his imposing, intense screen presence makes the movie worth watching, as does director Raoul Walsh’s style, which seems to have been influenced by Orson Welles. The script isn't without its flaws; for example, the character of Adam feels underdeveloped, and Thorley’s shifts in emotion seem abrupt (it’s hard to explain). I did appreciate the underlying sadness about children who are adopted often feeling less loved or accepted than those born into a family. The film has a running time of 1 hour and 41 minutes and was filmed in northwest New Mexico, specifically at Gallup and Red Rock Park in Church Rock (the ranch location), along with Warner Bros. Ranch in Calabasas, which is situated ten miles west of the Hollywood Sign, plus some studio work done in Burbank. GRADE: C+/B-

Source on TMDB