As I look over the several reviews that are available about "The Thundering Herd," what hits me first is that there is such a wide range of opinion about it, from bad all the way to great. Some say the acting is great, some say bad. So, if my review were the only one present for someone who wants to get an idea about whether he or she should take a look at the film, the following is what I would say. I think it is a good film, and worth the while of fans of westerns to take a look at it for two reasons. For starters, fans of filmed westerns should take a look at it to get a flavor of Zane Grey's work, for he is the father of the old West as portrayed in literature and the media. The detail that is portrayed in this movie of western life in the buffalo days is more detailed than one will see in 99% of B-Westerns, and that is because the story originates with Zane Grey. Rarely do you see wagon trains' and buffalo hunting parties' procedures and equipment portrayed with such care as in this movie. Zane Grey's western books are very detailed and exciting, and fans of westerns should certainly read at least one of them, if not more. Second, fans of westerns can use "The Thundering Herd" to begin to make comparisons of how simple B-Westerns of the early and mid- 1930's stack up to higher-end westerns from the larger studios during the same era. This is not an A-level Western, but it is a cut above the typical "B" and does draw together a more substantial and authoritative cast than the typical "B" and it also tries to present a story with greater breadth and import than the B's. Some of the action even takes place in the snow, which is a rarity in filmed westerns of the 1930's. But because it isn't an A-level film the producers also tried to cut corners and inserted a lot of stock footage, especially of buffalo and Indians, from earlier films.
This is a dramatic film, and some of the moments in the culminating scene, and elsewhere in the film, too, are surprisingly brutal. If this film had been attempted a few years later, it probably would have been less grim and the various relationships within it a little more fully explored. Randolph Scott was a young chap, just coming along in the business, but this is not a Randolph Scott "hero" film like studios produced with the likes of Bob Steele or Buck Jones during the same era. Scott in this film is integral to the movie, and is the star, yes, but other people are doing and contributing important things in this film, too. I really enjoyed the opening scene, which in setting the stage seems to be chillingly realistic, with an overview of some ramshackle buildings nestled in a smoky glen all a-bustle with wagons and horses getting outfitted for the start of the hunting trips, with trading post owner Sprague (Harry Carey) making his way among and talking with the busy folks down there. Then the scene quickly changes to one of the most exciting "you-are-there" kind of stagecoach rides one will ever see! Thank you director Henry Hathaway for getting us underway. You will also see Noah Beery in one of his most vile and disturbing roles. So go ahead and watch the film, and see if you think the middle and ending of the film keep apace with the beginning! Maybe you will, maybe you won't, but I do indeed think it is a worthwhile western to see.
