Jim Harvey is hired to guard a small wagon train as it makes its way west. The train is attacked by Indians and Harvey, hoping to persuade Aguila, the chief, to call off the attack due to Harvey's having saved his son's life, leaves the train to negotiate. He is captured and the rest of the train is wiped out except for two sisters. Escaping and showing up in town later, Harvey is nearly hanged as a deserter, but gets away. Eventually caught by the sheriff and his posse, they are attacked by Indians. This time the Indians are defeated and Aguila, captured and dying, reveals the identity of the white man who engineered the initial attack on the wagon train, just as the perpetrator rides up behind them.
Acting
Audie Murphy's wounded dignity sells every absurd twist.
Practical Effects
Real locations, real heat, real horses—zero CGI cowboys here.
Director
Nathan Juran
Audie Murphy
Jim Harvey
Lori Nelson
Laura Saunders
Chill Wills
Sheriff Murchoree
Roy Roberts
Nick Buckley
Russell Johnson
Lam Blandon
K.T. Stevens
Louella Buckley
Madge Meredith
Sarah Blandon
Lee Van Cleef
Marv
I. Stanford Jolley
Ted
Ralph Moody
Aguila
Ross Elliott
Seth Blandon
Eugene Iglesias
Tigre
Phil Chambers
Trapper Ross
Lyle Talbot
Weber
King Donovan
Wrangler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Nathan Juran directed this between Harryhausen monster movies and later won an Oscar for set design in 1942.
The 'noble savage' chief who dies helping the white hero was a staple 1950s concession to changing attitudes—too little, too late.
US
