A ★★★★ review of Day of the Outlaw (1959)

Excellent, occasionally brutal, noir western directed by Andre de Toth (PITFALL) and written by Philip Yordan (JOHNNY GUITAR). Blaise Starrett (Robert Ryan) is a rancher who helped tame the desolate town of Bitters, only to have it taken over by "pot bellied farmers". He hates farmers, especially those who use barbed wire. Starrett spots a wagon full of wire and plans to torch it. He also had previously had an affair with the wagon owner's wife (Tina Louise). Sooner or later, Starrett would probably wind up killing the guy. When it looks like it may happen, a gang of outlaws