Brute Angel

Robert J. Wilke was a familiar presence in many western films and episodic western televison series. He most often played a very convincing villain in nearly all these roles, probably most famous as the belligerent cowhand in The Magnificent Seven, killed by a thrown knife in a stockyard duel with the character played by James Coburn.

In this Death Valley Days story, Wilke's character is an aging sheriff who accepts the responsibility of arresting a volatile gunman who may likely kill him when the confrontation arrives.

There is a very moving scene in the film when Wilke, alone in his hotel room late at night, reads from the bible and prays to a higher power for guidance in his difficult task.

His prayer is answered in an unforeseen but satisfying and remarkable way.