This decent B western is about a train engine which accompanies a wagon train across the Omaha trail where members of the party (led by Dean Jagger and Howard da Silva) try to prevent the train coming through to cut in on their business. They are attacked by natives along the way, and this leads to issues when several members of the party are threatened with being left behind as part of their involvement in the destruction. James Craig is the leader of the wagon train, falling in love with Pamela Blake, the feisty sister of da Silva, unaware of her brother's plans.
This little western is highlighted by a scene where the engine, being pulled up a hill, suddenly makes its descent down. There are a lot of close calls during that descent and a few injuries and a crash as well. While most native battle scenes in westerns like this are fast moving, this slows them down a bit to show a different perspective of of these battles really could have been fought.
Character actor such as Chill Wills, Edward Ellis and Donald Meeks (sporting a Scottish accent) are worthy additions to the cast. The film presents a mixed view of natives with a few they encounter on the journey rather friendly, and greatly amused by the strange looking iron horse. Not bad as an hour long B western, one of a handful made by MGM during the war.
This little western is highlighted by a scene where the engine, being pulled up a hill, suddenly makes its descent down. There are a lot of close calls during that descent and a few injuries and a crash as well. While most native battle scenes in westerns like this are fast moving, this slows them down a bit to show a different perspective of of these battles really could have been fought.
Character actor such as Chill Wills, Edward Ellis and Donald Meeks (sporting a Scottish accent) are worthy additions to the cast. The film presents a mixed view of natives with a few they encounter on the journey rather friendly, and greatly amused by the strange looking iron horse. Not bad as an hour long B western, one of a handful made by MGM during the war.