This is a film to which I keep returning; one of Tracy's best, with great support from Robert Ryan. In this film, nothing is quite what it seems. The story unfolds in layers. There is nothing complicated about Tracy's motives for visiting Black Rock, yet his presence unnerves the townspeople; they become shifty; their curiosity is not the normal variety that accompanies a stranger in a small hick town, in the outback. As it becomes clear that they are hiding a secret & fearful that Tracy may uncover it, the tension rises. I would have given 10+ marks, but I found the music intrusive, a fault common to American films. The car chase required no augmentation; the scene has sufficient tension & uncertainty to use the sound of the cars to heighten the drama. I might add that this is also a fault in too many British films. So I will award it 9, which is 10 for everything else in this taut, exciting and understated film. Spenser Tracy had that special star quality in that you can't take your eyes off him. In every scene, he exudes this. Robert Ryan, probably the greatest screen villain of all time, is, as always, outstanding. Again, the menace is understated, although you are in no doubt that this is an evil, ruthless man, totally without any redeeming feature. He is a bigot & a bully & you, as an audience want to see him brought down. And John Sturges does not disappoint. The climax is also understated, but wholly satisfying. And there is even humour, when the conductor on the train says "This is the first time this train has stopped at Black Rock". And Tracy corrects him with a great one-liner "The second time".