7/10
Above average Western with Audie Murphy and Dan Duryea driving a woman to find her lost husband through perilous Indian territory
23 April 2020
A gunfighter about to be hanged is saved by a hired pistolero. Later on, a gorgeous married woman called Kelly : Joan O'Brien hires two gunmen, Ben Lane : Audie Murphy and crooked Frank Jesse : Dan Duryea, so that she can be reunited with her hubby . But this woman has an ulterior motive , a planned revenge to be developed during the dangerous journey throughout the Indian territory. Both gunmen team up to escort the beautiful woman, outwitting several attempts on their lives and along the way being attacked by Indians Coyoteros while she attempts to achieve her actual goal. Both pistoleros become good friends and threir friendship prevails. On the way Kelly attempts to seduce Ben by offering to give him share of the bounty, but he resigns to it. One was a deadly danger the other two! Adventure that explodes with violence and fury! He owed his life to his hired gun!

Nice-looking and enjoyable Western from Universal International Pictures that benefits itself thanks to an interesting script by prestigious Burt Kennedy, Bud Boetticher's regular writer. That's why it contains some novelties, but also usual elements as noisy action, thrills, shootouts, riding pursuits, Indian attacks and some spectacular scenes. The film is well starred by Audie Murphy, the soldier most decorated of WWII. Audie played several Westerns, such as : The kid from Texas, Cimarron Kid, Gunpoint, Night passage, The gunrunners, Gunfight at Comanche, Rifles Apaches, The unforgiven, 40 guns at Apache pass, The Texian, Posse from hell, Ride clear of devil, Red badge of courage, among others. And co-starred by Dan Duryea who steals the show as a bad/good outlaw redeeming himself and he has an only wish, a funeral carriage, a hearse pulled by six black horses, the reason for the title film. They are accompanied by a good but brief support cast as George Wallace, Rory Barcroft, and Bob Steele.

It is colorfully photographed in brilliant and glimmer Technicoloy by Maury Gertsman. Furthermore, thrilling and moving musical score by ordinary Universal composers : Herman Stein, Milton Rosen and Henry Mancini. Being shot on location in St. George Utah and Universal studios. The motion picture produced by Gordon Kay, was well directed by Harry Keller. He was a good craftsman who directed a lot of westerns, such as : Quantez, Sheriff Hour H, Rose of Cimarron, Fort Dodge stampede, Phantom stallion, Thundering caravans, Tarnished. And he also made of TV series as Dysneyland National velvet, Letter to Loretta, among others. Rating 6.5/10. Notable oater Western that will appeal to Audie Murphy fans. Well worth watching.
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