Set in the Northwestern United States in 1875, the film focuses on taciturn widower Matt Calder, who has recently been released from prison for killing a man while defending another. He arrives in a boomtown tent city to find his nine-year-old son Mark, who had been left with dance hall singer Kay after the man Matt hired to deliver him abandoned the boy. Matt promises Mark a life of hunting, fishing, and farming on their homestead.
When Kay's fiancé, gambler Harry Weston wins a deed to a gold mine in a poker game, they head to Council City on a raft to file the claim. They encounter trouble in the rapids near the Calder farm, but Matt and Mark rescue them. Harry offers to "buy" Matt's rifle and horse to reach Council City, saying he will pay when he returns. When Matt refuses, Harry knocks Matt unconscious and takes the horse and rifle. Kay says she will stay behind to tend to injured Matt. Harry agrees, as he will travel quicker without her; he leaves, promising to return.
When hostile Indians attack the farm, the three escape on Harry's raft. They set up camp by the river, and Matt and Kay argue about pursuing Harry. Mark overhears their conversation, and that Matt has been in prison for murder. Matt tells Mark he killed a man to protect his friend.
As their journey continues, Kay appreciates Matt's bravery and how he protects Mark and her. They are forced to deal with strong rapids, Kay getting hypothermia, a mountain lion attack, two gold prospectors hunting Harry for stealing their claim, and a second Indian war party.
They arrive in Council City and confront Harry. Harry shoots at Matt, prompting Mark to shoot Harry in the back, using a rifle that he was inspecting in the general store; just as his father had shot a man years before.
Kay finds a job at the local saloon. While she is performing, Matt walks into the saloon and throws Kay over his shoulder to take her back to his farm along with Mark. She happily leaves with him. Kay throws her showgirl shoes from their buckboard into the street, saying goodbye to her old life.
Otto Preminger was preparing for the opening of The Moon Is Blue when 20th Century Fox executive Darryl F. Zanuck assigned him to direct River of No Return as part of his contract with the studio. Because of their previous experience with Westerns, producer Stanley Rubin had wanted William Wellman, Raoul Walsh, or Henry King to helm the film, and he was concerned Preminger, who he felt was better suited for film noir melodrama or sophisticated comedy, would be unable to rise to the task of directing a piece of Americana.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 15 critics' reviews are positive.
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times observed, "It is a toss-up whether the scenery or the adornment of Marilyn Monroe is the feature of greater attraction in River of No Return ... The mountainous scenery is spectacular, but so, in her own way, is Miss Monroe. The patron's preference, if any, probably will depend upon which he's interested in. Certainly, scriptwriter Frank Fenton has done the best he could to arrange for a fairly equal balance of nature and Miss Monroe ...
