In fact, the leading hero isn't actually a cop, but a radio traffic reporter, played by David Jansen. He's a former fighter pilot from World War II who witnesses a bank robbery, cases after the crooks, and ends up with their hostage and the cash, all the while corresponding with old army buddy Ralph Meeker, now a Salt Lake City police captain. Elayne Heilveil, as the rescued hostage, is now under his care as they hide in a canyon from the thieves, waiting for a rescue by the authorities. Debates over what they should do with the money should they not be able to get out occur, so not only is this a race against time but a fight with ethics.
I didn't find it necessary to have so much focus on the female hostage because this really just distracts from the real drama and is only there to have a female presence in the movie. In fact, a lot of their conversation has nothing to do with their situation and distracts from what's going on just to have a flirtation between Heilveil and Jansen. He keeps having flashbacks to his combat days which adds some interesting psychological content to the film. Worth it for the action chase sequences and for Jansen's performance.
I didn't find it necessary to have so much focus on the female hostage because this really just distracts from the real drama and is only there to have a female presence in the movie. In fact, a lot of their conversation has nothing to do with their situation and distracts from what's going on just to have a flirtation between Heilveil and Jansen. He keeps having flashbacks to his combat days which adds some interesting psychological content to the film. Worth it for the action chase sequences and for Jansen's performance.