Although there are a few exceptions (very few), almost all westerns recycle about a half dozen plots. This one uses two VERY familiar plots. First is the Southerners being taken advantage of by the wicked Yankees plot--Errol Flynn and especially Randolph Scott made quite a few of these. Second is the evil boss-man trying to steal everyone's legal claim--usually to property, grazing land or mining. So, because of this, the film seems awfully familiar...too familiar.
Ray Milland plays a professional trick-shooter (a novel idea for a western). He's approached by a group of Southerners in the post-Civil War West. That's because life in Copper Canyon stinks for Southerners--no one will smelt their ore and they are routinely robbed. It's gotten so bad that people are selling out and moving. Milland denies that he is this Confederate leader they think he was and is non-committal about going to Copper Creek. However, the next stage into town brings Milland--who still seems apprehensive to get involved.
Along the way is the bad girl (Hedy Lamarr) from the dance hall (yet another western cliché) who has a foreign accent and who is so taken with the handsome stranger that she literally changes sides! And, of course, there is the baddie who specializes in shooting people in the back and killing people in staged gunfights (Macdonald Carey). So, as I said before, it's all way too familiar. What saves it, a bit, is the acting. The Welshman, Milland, is very good--even if he isn't the traditional macho hero. Plus, his accent is well-hid. And, although you might not expect it, Carey is also quite good. As for Hedy, she's given a rather thankless role without much room to act--she's more like a decoration through much of the film. If you love westerns, it's worth seeing...otherwise, it's just a polished time-passer.
Ray Milland plays a professional trick-shooter (a novel idea for a western). He's approached by a group of Southerners in the post-Civil War West. That's because life in Copper Canyon stinks for Southerners--no one will smelt their ore and they are routinely robbed. It's gotten so bad that people are selling out and moving. Milland denies that he is this Confederate leader they think he was and is non-committal about going to Copper Creek. However, the next stage into town brings Milland--who still seems apprehensive to get involved.
Along the way is the bad girl (Hedy Lamarr) from the dance hall (yet another western cliché) who has a foreign accent and who is so taken with the handsome stranger that she literally changes sides! And, of course, there is the baddie who specializes in shooting people in the back and killing people in staged gunfights (Macdonald Carey). So, as I said before, it's all way too familiar. What saves it, a bit, is the acting. The Welshman, Milland, is very good--even if he isn't the traditional macho hero. Plus, his accent is well-hid. And, although you might not expect it, Carey is also quite good. As for Hedy, she's given a rather thankless role without much room to act--she's more like a decoration through much of the film. If you love westerns, it's worth seeing...otherwise, it's just a polished time-passer.