THE FURIES

On the strength of the headlining of Duel in the Sun this will start off with a certain impetus which will carry it beyond the classification of a glorified western. But on that level you can reach an audience that might pass it by. The background is New Mexico in the late 19th century for the story of Vance Jefford, beautiful and wild, who is right hand man and heiress to her adored father, a cattle baron. When Jefford brings home a wife, Vance, insanely jealous, tries to kill her -- then marries Juan Herrara to spite her father, who has Juan hung for cattle stealing. The pattern of revenge which supplies the thrust to the story brings ruin and murder to Jefford, threat to the life of the man Vance has come to love, but -- in wind-up -- a comfortably pat happy ending, not of a piece with the violence and passion- but saleable.