Rocky Mountain

It's 1865. In a desperate last move, Lee had sent eight men led by Captain Lafe Barstow (Errol Flynn) to recruit Cole Smith and his 500 men for an attack on California. They save a stagecoach from a Shoshone war party. Passenger Johanna Carter (Patrice Wymore) is on her way to join her Union Army fiancé Lt. Rickey (Scott Forbes).

I don't like the narrations. It sounds like someone lifelessly reading a book. This has the potential to be a western classic. The story is good old fashion civil war fighting Indians. It has Errol Flynn. It has the epic landscape. They keep cutting to the little dog for the animal lovers. It has the fighting and the melodrama. It's an old fashion western. It's not a classic, but it is better than most.

Very refreshing western film starring Errol Flynn and Patrice Wymore, his last wife/widow who remembers Flynn much more gently than previous wives. For me, the script was fresh, not-so-predictable nor of the same campy flavor of previous Flynn westerns. I'm happy this one turned out so well. Another hidden gem. This film sketches out the story of a tiny band of rebel soldiers led by Flynn's character, Lafe Barstow, whose mission is to wait for a rebel renegade to rendezvous with them atop Rocky Mountain, originally called Ghost Mountain. They save a stagecoach from raiding Shoshone which carries a Northern lady on her way to meet her Yankee fiancée, a lieutenant at a nearby garrison. For the rest of this story, you'll have to rent and watch it yourself! But it's captivating, not the usual cheesy, run-of-the mill cookie cut westerns Flynn often had to play for his studio. The film draws the viewer in emotionally by focusing on each rebel band members individual stories from their homes in the South starting with a fantastic introduction of each by Flynn at the beginning. Trivia: Flynn met his future, final wife during this film. The film was shot in Gallup, New Mexico. This was the last Western film Flynn starred in and it's one he gives a solid performance. Great stuff all way around!

This was Errol Flynn's last Western and not one of his best ,alas ,although it does have its moments. He plays a Confederate officer ,sent to California with a small troop to make contact with Southern sympathisers with the aim of stirring up rebellion in the state and diverting Union resources from other battle fronts.Two problems arise --the promised support is not forthcoming and he is sidetracked when riding to the rescue of a stagecoach coming under Indian attack.It proves to contain the fiancee of the local Union cavalry commander and when a troop is sent out to find her Flynn is forced to take them captive as well.When Native American scouts of the Union army turn out to be traitors and launch an attack his hands become even more full. Effectively shot in black and white there are some good action scenes and the acting is fine ,but it suffers by comparison to other "Indian attack " movies like "Apache Drums " Not bad but a notch or two short of classic status

Excellent black and white photography showcases the area around Gallup, New Mexico. Every scene is methodically planned out to take advantage of the surroundings. Add this to a strong cast and it makes it one of my favorites to watch over and over. The story line kind of comes in second on this one.

Errol Flynn was outstanding in this film. An underrated actor, if given the right material, Flynn gave very affecting performances. This is one of those movies. It is realistic and reminiscent of "Little Big Horn", starring John Ireland and Lloyd Bridges.

As a confederate officer fighting a lost war, Errol and his companions save stranded stage coach travelers from Indians on the warpath. He has a sympathetic role in which he showed heroic characteristics without going "over the top". I wish this movie were available in video and hope that the Western Channel will show it. I heartily recommend this film with a rating of 9.