A fairly routine Western -- shot nicely in Mexico by Richard Fleischer and his crew. Mitchum is an observer of the Civil Wars during the early 1900s and manages to wangle a barge load of weapons for the good guys, in this instance the rebels, out of treacherous, avaricious Zachary Scott. Scott gets what's coming to him and Mitchum gives the guns away to rebel leader Gilbert Roland but gets Scott's admirable ex-wife anyhow.
I got a little lost towards the middle. Well, anyone might find it a little confusing, what with Gilbert Roland and the rebels on one side, and Victor Junco (in a believable performance) and the Army on the other. The plot never makes it entirely clear which side is the more virtuous, although with the affable Gilbert Roland we can make a good guess.
Also there's enough intrigue to confuse anyone. Who will Scott's wife, Ursula Thiess, finally cleave to. But again, with Mitchum, there isn't too much doubt.
Several action scenes and some nice location shooting liven up a plot that doesn't come anywhere near gripping. At the end I was glad Mitchum hadn't been executed. Of course I didn't want the helpful and sympathetic priest killed either. Ursula Thiess I also wanted to see live, but only just barely, because I don't like seeing women plugged on screen.
Otherwise -- how do you convey a shrug in print?
I got a little lost towards the middle. Well, anyone might find it a little confusing, what with Gilbert Roland and the rebels on one side, and Victor Junco (in a believable performance) and the Army on the other. The plot never makes it entirely clear which side is the more virtuous, although with the affable Gilbert Roland we can make a good guess.
Also there's enough intrigue to confuse anyone. Who will Scott's wife, Ursula Thiess, finally cleave to. But again, with Mitchum, there isn't too much doubt.
Several action scenes and some nice location shooting liven up a plot that doesn't come anywhere near gripping. At the end I was glad Mitchum hadn't been executed. Of course I didn't want the helpful and sympathetic priest killed either. Ursula Thiess I also wanted to see live, but only just barely, because I don't like seeing women plugged on screen.
Otherwise -- how do you convey a shrug in print?