Supposedly different than other westerns, it is just as good and just as bad as the average ones
This rather short 1954 western focuses on an episode during the Civil War, in 1864. The north is concerned that the Indians would be stirred up by the Confederacy and cause trouble for Union troops, and President Lincoln sends an emissary to establish peace with an Indian tribe by offering them peace, land, and $100,000 in gold. The Confederacy learns of the scheme and sends its spy, played by Gary Merrell, to take the place of Lincoln's emissary, promise the Indians what Lincoln wanted to promise, but give the Indians nothing, and bring the gold to help the Confederacy. The Confederacy expects that the Indians will think they were tricked and attack the whites of the local town. This will force the Union to sidetrack troops from battle grounds to help the local citizens. However, Gary Merrell is only interested in his own welfare, and this creates the drama.
Deserves 3 1/2 stars
I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. This is an odd but good one. The main star (Gary Merrill in a western?) is the bad guy and John Bromfield, who is the hero, doesn't get that much emphasis. But it all works. There's lots of riding and action in interesting western scenery. It's a South-stealing-Northern-gold-near-the-end-of-the-Civil-War story. Recommended.
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