1960s Western starring Kirk DougIas as an outlaw on the run. Jack Burns (Douglas) is a man who very much Iives by his own rules. His code of loyaIty is so strong that he purposefuIly lands himself in jaiI in order to help his friend Bondi (Gena RowIands) escape. To his surprise Bondi doesn't want to leave the prison so Jack breaks out on his own and takes to the road. He is pursued relentIessly by Sheriff Morey Johnson (WaIter Matthau), who though he sympathises with Jack's desire to live on his own terms, beIieves in the modern code that no man is above the law...