This unusually non-violent Western has been noted by film historians but was all but ignored by an audience that wanted The Outlaw or Duel in the Sun. Joel McCrea stars as an outlaw-on-the-run whose intentions from start to finish are anything but evil: his crime is holding up a bank (and leaving an I.O.U.!) in order to save his father's ranch. Set against an authentic, rugged New Mexico landscape, Four Faces West was called by the New York Times “something new under the Western sun... (Its) hero is a lad who is more likely to kiss his girl friend than his horse... Four Faces West emerges not only as a surprising but as an adult and edifying film... Joel McCrea, a vaquero who is comfortable in the saddle, gives a restrained and effective portrayal... Frances Dee (Mrs. McCrea in private life) is appealing as the frontier nurse who binds his wounds and captures his heart. Charles Bickford is convincing as the tough and grizzled Marshal...”