Good Story In Spite Of Rifle Error

Hey folks,

This is really a pretty decent Western film in spite of the fact the first breechloading Springfield Model 1865 rifle was not produced until after the Civil War was over. Actually, the Springfield Model 1865 rifle was only one of several prototype models that eventually culminated in the Springfield Model 1873 better known as the "Trapdoor" model which was the first breechloading rifle adopted by the US Army. The storyline explains the use of the breechloading Springfield rifle in the civil war setting by explaining the new rifle was really a prototype rifle that was sent to them for test purposes. While the "explanation" works OK for the puposes of the storyline, the new breechloading Springfield rifle was never even available for test purposes until at least six months after the war ended.

In spite of this slight stretching of the facts on the timing of the rifle, the film really does have a pretty good story, and it makes for a good Western with some good journeyman actors. Most of the folks who posted reviews of this film seemed to rate it a bit higher than I would rate it, but it is a good film that I really liked a whole bunch back in 1952 as a youngster. I just watched it again for the first time in 60 years, and while I still liked it, I guess my 60 year older eyes did not see it with the same enthusiasm they did as a youngster.

I hope others may give it a look. While I would not put it in the same class as Open Range and Lonesome Dove, it is representative of the Western films of the times back then, and has an interesting story.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile