When you have Randolph Scott, you don't need much else, but "Fighting Man of the Plains" has everything.
Frank Gruber was a darn good writer of often very gritty stories. He wrote more than one story about Jesse James, a character who figures in this movie, too.
There is a rough realism in his stories, and that has translated beautifully in this film, thanks in part to Gruber's also writing the screenplay, and thanks to excellent directing by Edwin L. Marin, and thanks especially to a superlative cast.
One mark of a well-written and -directed film is the realism of the interaction of minor characters.
Another mark of a great movie is the number of speaking and participating characters, even with relatively small parts.
In "Fighting Man of the Plains," watch the anonymous characters, such as the blacksmith who's asked for directions, and the bartender who passes on messages and serves meals. In lesser films, they might get to nod or maybe point, but in a great film, such as this one, they speak and participate in what's going on.
Look for, for example, the great John Hamilton, and the great Paul Fix as a sleazy, vile character. Watch, too, for such greats as Lou Nova and Kermit Maynard. And not one of them gets screen credit! This is a great movie, extremely well done, and I urge you to see it.
