LeonLouisRicci
A Fine Actor, Sterling Hayden, seems to be Broken by the Blacklist, and is at His Worst in this almost Incompetent Western. The other Cast Members are not that good either. The Indians, with Blankets not Covering Up the Fact that They didn't use Saddles, are only On Screen for the Killing, and are Never Shown in Close-Up, making Them Disposable and Less than Human. "You know what Indians do to Women and Children.", is a Line in the Awful Screenplay.The Battles are Frantic and Bullet Ridden with a few Arrows Flying and couple Landing in the Dust to Justify the Title. Overall, a rushed and Routine, Low-Budget 50's Western (as if We needed more of those in the Decade). This will be an Embarrassment to Sterling Hayden Fans and despite the occasional good shot of Colorful Scenery, it is easily Forgettable.
bkoganbing
Sterling Hayden stars in this fast moving western about an army deserter who takes the place of his dying cousin and leads a wagon train out of danger from Indian attack. We never get the back story here, why Hayden deserted, we're told he's not a person of good character, but what we see of him he's pretty noble. Certainly he provides the leadership that does the job even if civilian scout Tom Tully knows who the real army major is and it's definitely not Hayden.But there's more than one person on the wagon train who is not whom he seems to be. Rich merchant Tudor Owen is carrying both rifles and whiskey and the Indians want them real bad, they don't even want to wait to pay for them. Seems to me they should have just waited and paid Owen's price.That however would have gotten in the way of the action and veteran western director Lesley Selander was known for action. The battle scenes are well staged. It's a good B western could have been better with a little more attention to the story.
rleary1
Well, after reading the other reviews I have to concur that this movie is pretty darn horrible and boring. TCM is having a Sterling Hayden festival and unfortunately this movie was thrown in for good measure. Where did they get these Indians? Regarding another reviewers 'Review' of the 'School of Bottom Lip Acting' from Hayden, I started to find myself transfixed and staring at Hayden's bottom lip jutting out during the very slow arduous task of viewing the movie. At one point a young cavalry soldier asks Hayden 'should we stay and fight or retreat'. I expected Hayden to reply, 'Not sure, let me consult with my bottom lip'. Early in the film a dying cousin Andy comments to deserter Hayden, 'Surely there is still some good in you?' I expected Hayden to say, 'Nope, this ol' six-gun and bottom lip do the talking' for me..' o.k. well, actually it's the bottom lip that does the talking and the six-gun does the shooting but whatever'... Another annoying thing in his performance is Hayden seems to be faking a deep gruffy voice that makes him sound like Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) on the Mary Tyler Moore show. Lou!? Are any of you Indians named 'Lou'? Just avoid this film at all costs is all I can suggest.
dstatzer
The use of stock footage and uninspired acting and direction make this a very slow, routine western effort. Despite the cast (Hayden, Larson) this one is just too predictable to suffer through. And yet, in spite of it's failings, it often appears on TV while better efforts rot in a can somewhere. Go figure.
AD
