Albert Mazeika Slow moving, but watchable, tho' I think describing it as "John Ford Lite" is being more than charitable. This somewhat off-beat Civil War western pairs an in-decline Errol Flynn with his 3rd wife, Patrice Wymore. Flynn leads a small Confederate patrol out to California on a secret mission from Robert E. Lee to save the Confederacy. A dozen or so years earlier the film's director, William Keighly, had been replaced as director on THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. WB management was disappointed with the early rushes on ...ROBIN HOOD and brought in their workhorse and Master-Of-All-Genres, the great, Michael Curtiz, who picked up the reins and completed what is generally regarded as THE classic swashbuckler.

vincentlynch-moonoi This is not one of Errol Flynn's great Westerns (and he had several), but it is quite a bit better than the average western of the time period right around 1950, so it is definitely worth watching. And although Flynn's star was beginning to fade by this time, he is still excellent here -- a very pleasing mix of rugged and a gentleman.The story is a bit different than what we usually see in Western -- it's actually about a group of Confederate soldiers that are on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, preparing to raise a band of less than noble men to start trouble and turn the Civil War around by changing the balance of power in the West. What they didn't take into account was that in addition to having to fight Union soldiers, they'd be in Indian territory, as well. Now the only real problem is that the scenery here is clearly red rocks (although in a black and white film), not what you'd see just east of the Sierra Nevadas. Looks more like what you'd see in northwestern New Mexico...which is, by coincidence...where it was filmed.The only star of note in the film is Errol Flynn, and he carries the film well. The rest of the cast play their supporting roles well, though there are no stars of note. Patrice Wymore, as the love interest (fiance of the Union soldier) wasn't ever a very notable actress, but she's attractive and does well here. Scott Forbes and the lead Union soldier is fine, but not notable. You'll recognize Chubby Johnson as the amiable stagecoach driver, and Slim Pickens and Sheb Wooly.There are 2 things wrong with this movie. First, with this scenery, it really should have been in color...it would have been stunning. Second, a dog can't run that far in a desert (you'll understand when you watch this film).This is not a film where everyone lives happily ever after, including Errol Flynn. It ends pretty much the way it had to end, but along the way it strived to show that Confederates were honorable men who were on the wrong side of history. I don't think I ever rooted for the Confederates in any film, and this may be the first Western where I shed a tear. Highly recommended.

MartinHafer This is Errol Flynn's last western, and although it lacks the complex plot, scope and Technicolor of some of his other westerns, it's probably his best performance. This is because he's a bit older and less the sexy romantic lead here--and his performance is more subdued and believable. Now this is NOT to say it's his most enjoyable western--VIRGINIA CITY and DODGE CITY both were more fun although Flynn never did seem particularly well suited to these roles--particularly because of his Australian accent and his decidedly non-Western image.The film is highly reminiscent of several other westerns of the day. In a very familiar plot, Flynn is in charge of a mission for the Confederate army--and it takes him undercover into the American West. Randolph Scott made a couple films like this and when I saw the film unfold, it was like a case of déjà vu. However, while filled with familiar plot elements, it all seemed to work pretty well--as Flynn underplayed his role as the leader of this expedition.Although the group's plan is to stir up trouble and create an army of Confederate bandits to harass the settlers, they stumble into an Indian uprising. Because they choose to help a wagon coming under attack, they themselves become the quarry. Instead of meeting up with rebels, they spend most of the film stuck...waiting for the inevitable Indian attack that will finish them. Surprisingly, this movie ended on a rather downbeat and more realistic manner than the typical Warner Brothers western. In particular, Flynn is NOT so indestructible and anyone looking for him to get the girl or have a happy ending is in for a big surprise! While I liked this downbeat ending since it was rather novel, some will undoubtedly dislike it. I admire it for trying to be a bit different.Overall, it's not a great film but still highly enjoyable and well made. For fans of westerns, Flynn or Warner Brothers programmers, this is well worth seeing and sadly it seems to rarely come on television. I saw it on DVD and perhaps you should, too.

srpwx By the time Errol made this film, he'd walked through a number of Westerns including his previous venture, where he played, of all things, a sheep-herder, in "Montanta". Yet from the outhouse to the penthouse Flynn transitioned into Rocky Mountain which goes down as his last but also one of his best Westerns.There's an authentic, grainy feel in this black and white adventure by co-Robin Hood Director, William Keighley. He shows a wonderful use of mountains near Gallop, New Mexico. Flynn looks like he actually "gets it" and doesn't mail in his performance. He's surrounded by a solid cast of character actors including a young/thin Slim Pickens in his film debut. Chubby Johnson is great as the stage-driver. In fact, in his own subtle way, steals almost every scene. Dickie Jones is memorable as the kid, Buck Wheat. Flynn met his 3rd wife, Patrice Wymore in this film. Of note are two great scenes where "real" Indians attack a stagecoach plus the final confrontation between Flynn's men. Only drawbacks are the staged "cut-in" closeups of Flynn. He looks puffy and fat in these shots whereas, in most of the film, he looks good. I agree with other posters who mention this has a John Ford "look" plus the great horse riding scenes. It doesn't get much better or real than what's here.