[7] In Bridger's Wells, Nevada in 1885,[8] two cowboys, Art Croft and Gil Carter, hitch up their horses and enter Darby's Saloon.

Soon, news arrives that three men with cattle bearing Kinkaid's brand have just entered Bridger's Pass.

Later that night in Ox-Bow Canyon, the posse find three men sleeping, with what are presumed to be stolen cattle nearby.

When dissent develops among some members of the group, a vote is taken on whether to hang the trio or take them to town to stand trial.

On the way, they encounter the town's sheriff, Risley, who reveals Kinkaid is not dead and that the men who shot him have been arrested.

In the end, Gil and Art head out of town to deliver the letter and $500 raised by those in the posse for Martin's wife.

Director William A. Wellman loved the novel and wanted to adapt it into a film and then interested Darryl F. Zanuck in producing it.

Zanuck agreed in producing the story, on the condition that Wellman would also direct two other films for the studio, Thunder Birds (1942) and Buffalo Bill (1944).

[9] The role of Gil Carter, played by Henry Fonda, was originally offered to Gary Cooper, who turned it down.

Filming was done from late June to early August 1942, mostly in studio back-lots and sound stages; a limited amount of location shooting was done at a ranch in Chatsworth and in Lone Pine, both in California.

"[11] Variety called it a "powerful preachment against mob lynching ... Director William Wellman has skillfully guided the characters and driven home the point that hanging is unwarranted.

[13] Harrison's Reports printed a negative review, calling it a "depressing, unpleasant, at times horrible, melodrama ... Whoever is responsible for selecting such sordid material for the screen should be awarded a 'booby' prize.

"[14] More recently, La Furia Umana's Toshi Fujiwara said the film is "one of the most important westerns in the history of American cinema".