Set in the year 1900, many years later than most westerns, this film tells the story of Jim Fallon, an unscrupulous but likable timber baron. He has plans to make it big in California where a new law means large swathes of land are up for grabs to anybody who can pay the fees. He is planning to cut down the mighty redwood trees but the Quakers who already there are determined to save the largest and oldest of the trees
the ones Fallon wants the most. They do just about everything legal to stop Fallon but he is willing to play dirty and forms a business partnership with rival loggers. It isn't too long before they turn on him and he starts to side with the settlers.
This isn't a classic western but it is a fun way to pass an hour and a half. The story has some decent enough action and an inevitable romance. This romance is a love/hate relationship between Fallon and Alicia Chadwick, the daughter of the Quaker preacher. Early on I was surprised to see Kirk Douglas playing an obviously dishonest character as he is obviously the protagonist I was less surprised when events lead to him seeing the error of his ways. The setting, among the giant redwoods, is impressive and makes a nice change from the scenery we see in many westerns. While the film shows its age at times the environmental message seems ahead of its times. Kirk Douglas does a solid enough job as Fallon and is ably supported by Eve Miller as Alicia Chadwick and Edgar Buchanan as Walter 'Yukon' Burns amongst others. The action is okay; some bits such as a train crash are rather good while others are not so impressive. Overall this isn't a must see but is worth checking out if you are a fan of westerns.
This isn't a classic western but it is a fun way to pass an hour and a half. The story has some decent enough action and an inevitable romance. This romance is a love/hate relationship between Fallon and Alicia Chadwick, the daughter of the Quaker preacher. Early on I was surprised to see Kirk Douglas playing an obviously dishonest character as he is obviously the protagonist I was less surprised when events lead to him seeing the error of his ways. The setting, among the giant redwoods, is impressive and makes a nice change from the scenery we see in many westerns. While the film shows its age at times the environmental message seems ahead of its times. Kirk Douglas does a solid enough job as Fallon and is ably supported by Eve Miller as Alicia Chadwick and Edgar Buchanan as Walter 'Yukon' Burns amongst others. The action is okay; some bits such as a train crash are rather good while others are not so impressive. Overall this isn't a must see but is worth checking out if you are a fan of westerns.