A young Robert Redford plays the escapee from prison whose expected return to his Texan hometown stirs up a maelstrom. Brando plays the honest guy, a small time sheriff trying to do the right thing and stay above the enemities and loyalties that rive the community. Penn deftly handles many issues that were exploding into the 60s USA, including racism, adultery (everyone's at it in this small town) and Saturday nights out on the razzle.