Copyright 21 May 1948 by Harry Sherman Pictures, Inc. Released through United Artists Pictures. New York opening at the Globe: 3 August 1948. U.S. release: 15 May 1948. U.K. release through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 21 February 1949. Australian release through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 24 February 1949. 8,196 feet. 91 minutes. (Available on an excellent Republic Pictures DVD).U.K. and Australian release title: THEY PASSED THIS WAY.COMMENT: A western that admirably captures the unique atmosphere and flavor of the original novel, thanks not only to its engrossing script but breathtaking location photography, efficient direction, and most capable acting. Production values are "A" plus.Expansively produced with extensive location filming, beautifully photographed and stylishly directed (yes, Virginia, old Alfred E. can be stylish when he has the mind - which admittedly is none too often), They Passed This Way is a treat for western and non-western fans alike. The atmosphere of the novel is superbly captured with all its irony (McCrea robbing the bank just a few yards away from a rostrum on which Pat Garrett, of all people, is delivering a lecture on law and order) and religious overtones (McCrea rides a white horse branded with a chalice. He is sheltering under the Blood. But when he chases the horse away, he is immediately bitten by a rattle-snake/serpent) intact. The whole theme of the novel - "Nothing worthwhile is achieved without sacrifice," a line spoken by Nurse Dee - is vividly and indelibly realized. Nonetheless, it takes more than a worthwhile theme to make a picture really great. What's needed are memorable and fascinating characters - and that's what we have here. In spades. McCrea and Bickford are perfectly cast. McCrea does a wonderful job building up sympathy, whilst Bickford makes his Garrett a marvelous contrast. Miss Dee emerges a little colorlessly, but the support cast, headed by Joseph Calleia, is absolutely first-rate. Even the smallest roles are expertly played. The script comes across as a model of what screenwriting should be. The dialogue rings with plenty of bite and even humor; while the plot moves forward with taut precision, yet engages plenty of action.

An unfairly unsung western,almost completely devoid of violence ,of fights,of your average western clichés;the subject is the second chance ,the free will,without preachy moral.A subject Delmer Daves would resume in "the last wagon" in the fifties.This is to my knowledge the only western in which bullets are used to relieve the suffering:this scene where Joel McCrea opens them to get the sulfur ,his struggle against diphtheria ,injecting more tenderness you might think possible when he talks to the sick children are among the most moving in the western genre .The female part (played by Frances Dee who has wonderful eyes) is not decorative:as a nurse,whose duty is to heal the pain,she shows Ewan the way when she calls him coward before leaving him:had the hero not met her,he would probably have ignored the dying family and gone his way.The rock gives this tale a legendary side ;Ross becomes a legend in his own time .Oddly ,the following year,Joel McCrea would play another character ("Colorado Territory" ,Raoul Walsh)whose (tragic) legendary tale is told by a priest.

This western starring Joel McCrea is just plain bizarre. The film begins with a big celebration in a western town and Pat Garrett (the guy who captured Billy the Kid) was making a speech. At the same time, and here's where it gets weird, McCrea is robbing (of sorts) a bank in town. He initially asks for a loan but then pulls out a gun and demands exactly $2000! Huh?! Naturally, the banker is mad and gets a posse to look for McCrea--who has made a getaway in to the desert. However, he is bitten by a snake and makes his way to a nearby train where a nurse just happens to be available to treat him. Then, despite not knowing him at all, the woman hides McCrea and swears he MUST be innocent (which, incidentally, he ISN'T).This is all very bizarre. Why steal $2000 and insist it's a loan? Why conveniently have a rattlesnake bite him AND conveniently have a nurse nearby who then falls for him? And, why would a woman with a young child suddenly risk everything for a man she doesn't even know?! None of this makes much sense though at least McCrea played nice cowboys and his acting in this sub-par film was pretty good. Forgettable and weird.UPDATE: I rarely do this, but I decided to give this film another chance. Well, the second time around I appreciated it a lot more. Sure, the plot makes little sense at the beginning. I guess I just wasn't in a very good mood when I first saw it--the second time it worked better for me--and got better towards the end. Still not a great film--but worth seeing.

Rather 'special' and moronic western.A man steals from a bank, giving an IOU (?) and then plans to pay back the money (?). He gets on a train and avoids detection by tipping his hat (?). The train nurse (the train nurse ?) befriends him and goes on the run with him.After a car chase (with horses), he ends up apparently back where he began. The nurse is captured, without arrest.Throwing the switch to vaudeville, the man rides a calf to Mexico (very special scenes) and then nurses a Mexican family ill with diptheria.He is discovered by the sheriff, leaves, and then gives himself up. It's special.