One Foot in Hell

One Foot in Hell is a 1960 American Western film, directed by Jerry Paris and written by Robert Lees, based on the short story "Last Ransom of Kennebunkport" by Leo Gordon. The movie stars Don Murray and Ernest Borgnine. The story begins in a small rural town where Mitch Barrett (Don Murray) lives with his wife, Mary (Gloria Talbott), in a small house. Mitchell works as a farmer and has a hard time making ends meet. Mary is ill and needs medicine that costs more than they can afford. Mitch is desperate to save his wife's life, but he doesn't have the money to pay for the expensive medicine. In a heart-wrenching scene, Mary is denied the medicine and eventually dies due to lack of access to medical care. The townspeople, realizing how they have wronged Mitch, are overcome with remorse for their inaction. The townsfolk, who seem to have been responsible for Mitch's hardships in the past, decide to help him out as best they can, and offer him a position as the deputy sheriff. This new job gives Mitchell access to the local police force's equipment and facilities, as well as the necessary authority to execute a crime. Mitch, consumed by a desire for revenge and a need for money, decides to use this newfound position to devise a daring heist. Mitch recruits a group of skilled individuals with diverse skills to aid him in the crime. There is 'Hawk,' a cunning and resourceful artist with expertise in forgery and disguise (Dan Blocker); 'The Artful' (Bruce Cabot), a charming pickpocket who can easily steal valuable items right under noses; 'Rattlesnake' (R.G. Armstrong), a grizzled and skilled gunslinger; and 'Lily' (France Nuyen), a sultry and alluring local bar-girl who is familiar with the town's inner workings and can provide them with vital information and help the group evade capture. Together, this group of misfits begins to devise an elaborate plan to steal the money that the town's officials are hoarding. They decide to execute the heist by robbing the town's bank. However, they must proceed carefully and stay one step ahead of the law at all times, given their new roles within the local authority and the suspicion of some townspeople. Throughout the movie, the town's inhabitants are depicted as being trapped in a vicious cycle of greed, corruption, and social ills, highlighting the dark underbelly of rural America. As the story progresses, the characters' relationships become increasingly complex, as some characters experience a change of heart. The movie reaches its climax when the group of thieves carries out the daring heist, with both success and setbacks unfolding simultaneously. The townspeople are shocked and outraged by the brazen robbery, while Mitch struggles with his emotions, torn between the need for justice and his desire for revenge against the town he feels wronged him. In the end, the movie concludes with Mitch and his gang escaping with the loot. However, the impact of the robbery is only a secondary concern in this film, which uses the heist as a backdrop for exploring the complexities of human nature in the face of tragedy and the struggles of rural communities. The movie suggests that those who are driven by their emotions and circumstances can be both pitied and feared, as we see the transformation in Mitch Barrett from a heartbroken man to a ruthless and cunning robber. One Foot in Hell, directed by Jerry Paris, is a gripping and emotionally charged Western that tackles serious issues like social injustice, poverty, and community dynamics. The movie explores themes that were considered taboo during its time of release and presents a scathing critique of the dark underbelly of rural life in the early 20th century.