He specialized in robust action pictures, particularly westerns. He excelled at bringing to life tautly written stories about tough characters facing difficult circumstances. Conversely, just as often, he failed to redeem poorly written material, turning out an equally inadequate picture. Throughout his career he regularly alternated hits (such as Der letzte Zug von Gun Hill (1959), Die glorreichen Sieben (1960), Gesprengte Ketten (1963), Der Adler ist gelandet (1976)) with misses (such as Der alte Mann und das Meer (1958), Und die Nacht wird schweigen (1961), Das Mädchen Tamiko (1962), Vierzig Wagen westwärts (1965)). He has also been criticized for his lack of stylistic trademarks, though his best films remain exciting to watch.
