Warford as Assistant District Attorney's Aide Willard Capen as Extra behind bars in DVD cover Reception A.H. Weiler of The New York Times wrote: "An unrelievedly grim, serious and action-filled case against an uncompromising attitude toward former convicts and capital punishment, it evolves, through an unpretentious, documentary treatment, as tough and persuasive, if disquieting, drama...There is no doubt, however, as to the film's sharp, authentic pictorial look, since it was photographed largely in St. Louis, whose lower depths rise strikingly before an audience. Its cheap saloons, alleys and slums, photographed in newsreel detail by Haskell Wexler, lend polish and support to the fast pace maintained by the director, Irvin Kershner, whose experience stems largely from television." See also List of American films of 1961 References External links 1961 films 1961 drama films 1960s biographical drama films American biographical drama films American black-and-white films 1960s English-language films Films about capital punishment Films about Catholicism Films about Catholic priests Films directed by Irvin Kershner Films scored by Richard Markowitz Films set in St. Louis Films shot in Missouri Films shot in St. Louis United Artists films 1960s American films