The first of five collaborations between Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood — which also include Two Mules for Sister Sara, The Beguiled, Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz — this movie tells the story of Arizona deputy sheriff Walt Coogan (Eastwood), who travels to New York City to extradite escaped killer James Ringerman (Don Stroud). However, when he tries to get him out as soon as possible, the maniac escapes, which draws the ire of Detective Lieutenant McElroy (Lee J. Cobb).

While a controversial film due to its violence — there’s plenty of blood and Eastwood continually gets the worst of fights that he’s outnumbered in — this movie became the prototype for the action movies that Eastwood would star in for years. It also inspired the Dennis Weaver series McCloud, which was created by this film’s screenwriter Herman Miller.

This Kino Lorber blu ray release has some incredible extras, like a commentary track by filmmaker Alex Cox and another by Sledge Hammer! creator Alan Spencer. Plus, there are trailers, a radio ad and a poster gallery.