Rumors spread though the town. The knaves and the righteous, the loafers and the businessmen, convert Wilson from suspect to swaggering criminal. The mob storms the jail, beats down the Sheriff and his deputies, and, unable to reach the prisoner, sets the building afire. Wilson's sweetheart arrives in time to see him being burned alive as men gape, as a woman holds her child aloft to get a better view, as an ogling youth pauses between bites of a frankfurter and roll. Call this the prelude.
Strand returns to righteousness.
This has been a completely enthusiastic report, and such was our intention. Hollywood rarely bothers with themes bearing any relation to significant aspects of contemporary life. When it does, in most cases, its approach is timid, uncertain or misdirected. That it is brilliantly executed as well makes it all the more notable. Cinematically, it is almost flawless.