James Stewart plays a vengeful cow-herder who arrives in New Mexico determined to find the man who was responsible for the killing of his brother. His brother was shot down by Apaches armed with automatic rifles, and Stewart is looking for the man who sold them to the Indians. Following 'Winchester 73', 'Bend in the River', 'The Naked Spur' and 'The Far Country', this was the last of the five classic westerns Stewart made with director Anthony Mann.

Now regarded as a landmark film but virtually disowned by MGM when it was first produced, Tod Browning's film, set in a travelling circus, works as an old-fashioned morality play against avarice. Browning used a collection of handicapped actors and performers for the circus community, which initially welcomes the beautiful trapeze artist Cleopatra into their group when she marries midget circus owner, Hans. However, as it becomes clear that Cleopatra is only after Hans' money, and is conducting an affair with the strongman, the close-knit clan of 'freaks' plan a revenge.