This is not one of Errol Flynn's great Westerns (and he had several), but it is quite a bit better than the average western of the time period right around 1950, so it is definitely worth watching. And although Flynn's star was beginning to fade by this time, he is still excellent here -- a very pleasing mix of rugged and a gentleman.
The story is a bit different than what we usually see in Western -- it's actually about a group of Confederate soldiers that are on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, preparing to raise a band of less than noble men to start trouble and turn the Civil War around by changing the balance of power in the West. What they didn't take into account was that in addition to having to fight Union soldiers, they'd be in Indian territory, as well. Now the only real problem is that the scenery here is clearly red rocks (although in a black and white film), not what you'd see just east of the Sierra Nevadas. Looks more like what you'd see in northwestern New Mexico...which is, by coincidence...where it was filmed.
The only star of note in the film is Errol Flynn, and he carries the film well. The rest of the cast play their supporting roles well, though there are no stars of note. Patrice Wymore, as the love interest (fiance of the Union soldier) wasn't ever a very notable actress, but she's attractive and does well here. Scott Forbes and the lead Union soldier is fine, but not notable. You'll recognize Chubby Johnson as the amiable stagecoach driver, and Slim Pickens and Sheb Wooly.
There are 2 things wrong with this movie. First, with this scenery, it really should have been in color...it would have been stunning. Second, a dog can't run that far in a desert (you'll understand when you watch this film).
This is not a film where everyone lives happily ever after, including Errol Flynn. It ends pretty much the way it had to end, but along the way it strived to show that Confederates were honorable men who were on the wrong side of history. I don't think I ever rooted for the Confederates in any film, and this may be the first Western where I shed a tear. Highly recommended.
The story is a bit different than what we usually see in Western -- it's actually about a group of Confederate soldiers that are on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, preparing to raise a band of less than noble men to start trouble and turn the Civil War around by changing the balance of power in the West. What they didn't take into account was that in addition to having to fight Union soldiers, they'd be in Indian territory, as well. Now the only real problem is that the scenery here is clearly red rocks (although in a black and white film), not what you'd see just east of the Sierra Nevadas. Looks more like what you'd see in northwestern New Mexico...which is, by coincidence...where it was filmed.
The only star of note in the film is Errol Flynn, and he carries the film well. The rest of the cast play their supporting roles well, though there are no stars of note. Patrice Wymore, as the love interest (fiance of the Union soldier) wasn't ever a very notable actress, but she's attractive and does well here. Scott Forbes and the lead Union soldier is fine, but not notable. You'll recognize Chubby Johnson as the amiable stagecoach driver, and Slim Pickens and Sheb Wooly.
There are 2 things wrong with this movie. First, with this scenery, it really should have been in color...it would have been stunning. Second, a dog can't run that far in a desert (you'll understand when you watch this film).
This is not a film where everyone lives happily ever after, including Errol Flynn. It ends pretty much the way it had to end, but along the way it strived to show that Confederates were honorable men who were on the wrong side of history. I don't think I ever rooted for the Confederates in any film, and this may be the first Western where I shed a tear. Highly recommended.