König der Gauchos

Exotic Technicolor western from 20th Century Fox and director Jacques Tourneur. In 1875 Argentina, the old ways of the pampas-roaming gauchos are being pushed aside for the more "civilized" ways of the city-dwellers and the European immigrants. Fiercely proud gaucho Martin (Rory Calhoun) reunites with his adoptive brother Don Miguel (Hugh Marlowe), only for Martin to learn that Miguel has adopted the modern ways. After a deadly knife fight, Martin is sentenced to army duty rather than imprisonment, putting him at the mercy of cruel Major Salinas (Richard Boone). Martin bristles under the yoke of conscription and soon goes AWOL into the wilderness, where he rescues damsel in distress Teresa (Gene Tierney). Romance blooms, but dangers lurk ever closer. Also featuring Everett Sloane, Enrique Chaico, Jorge Villoldo, Ronald Dumas, and Claudio Torres.

The excellent color cinematography and location shooting help elevate this above its occasionally uninspired screenplay. Leads Calhoun and Tierney, late replacements for Tyrone Power and Jean Peters, both look great. I watched this for Tierney, and while her role is on the small side, she handles it well. I usually like Richard Boone in everything I see him in, and this is no exception, bringing nuance to what could have been a one-note villain part.