La Trahison du capitaine Porter

Complex western that manages pretty well to stay afloat. You may need a scorecard since the screenplay involves four different factions bouncing off one another. Scott displays his usual iron-jawed determination as the captain torn between loyalty to his native Texas and the Union cavalry. The bad guys, as usual in these post-Civil War oaters, are the greedy carpetbaggers, headed up by that excellent actor Hugh Sanders. And who can overlook perennial fall guy Elisha Cook doing his usual fierce rabbit bit.

The rivalry between the two captains, Scott and Barker, is an interesting feature, especially when it extends to Scott's wife (Kirk). That scene where the home-sick wife is captivated by the handsome Barker is both well played and unusual for a western. Note too how Scott is compelled by the byplay to fade into the background, another unusual feature for a western hero.

Though filmed just west of LA, the rolling scenery makes a good Technicolor backdrop to the action. Much credit for making the elements work should go to director de Toth who was skilled at handling conflict as shown in his masterwork, Ramrod (1947). The redoubtable Sam Peckinpah also selected de Toth to direct many episodes of his groundbreaking TV series The Westerner (1960).

On the whole, it's a complicated story of personal and political conflict but still delivers the goods for fans of westerns.

In post Civil War Texas, an Army captain is charged with bringing in an outlaw who has become a legend for taking on the Carpetbaggers. It begins and ends with hokey narration, but in between there is a fairly interesting story, helped by nice color cinematography. Scott is his usual solid self as the captain. McGraw plays the outlaw, but it is Barker (coming off his final Tarzan movie) as another Army captain that is the real villain here. Kirk does well as Scott's understanding wife. It's not up to the level of Scott's later Westerns with Budd Boetticher, but it's competently directed by de Toth. The final gunfight is too drawn out and somewhat anti-climactic.

It is set in 1869 , after American Civil War : 1961-1865 , when Texas has not yet been admitted to the Union and several carpetbaggers upheaval againt the States . Federal captain Porter : Randolph Scott reluctantly has to carry out a mission assigned by his commandant in chief : Henry Hull against his own people . But things go wrong , the district tax Commissioner : Elisha Cook Jr is kidnapped and a rebel leader , Charles McGraw is captured being accused of killing . His was the moment he had to count his bullets because he couldn't on his friends ! Thunder in his heart ..lightning in his holsters! . Don't go out there Dave ¡ Please don't go out there ! In the heart and dust a prairie town waited . A storm was brewing . A storm named Dave Porter and when he hit , it would rain nothing but lead !

This is a tornado and adventure movie from Warner Bros , containing thrills , emotion , suspense , go riding and crossfire . A decent cavalry western with a twisted and complex intrigue written by Russell Hughes . As our captain Randolph Scott has to confront a nasty powerful owner : Hugh Sanders , while must avoid a new and envious officer : Lex Barker who attempts to take his wife Phyllis Kirk . As the trío of decent protagonists : Randolph Scott , Phyllis Kirk and Lex Barker give acceptable interpretations . They are well accompanied by a pretty support cast with plenty of familiar faces , such as : Henry Hull , Charles McGraw , Elisa Cook Jr , Lane Chandler , uncredited Trevor Bardette, James Brown of Rin Tin Tin TV series and Fess Parker of Daniel Boone TV series.

The motion picture was well directed by Andre De Toth , though it has some flaws and gaps . De Toth was a good artisan of long career , writing , producing and directing several movies . As he made all kinds of genres , outstanding in Western , such as : Ramrod , Carson City , The Indian Fighter , Day of Outlaw , Thunder over Plains . And he made other genres including films as The other love , Pitfall , None Shall escape , Crime Wave , Dark Waters , Monkey on my Back , Play Dirty . Being his biggest hit , the boxoffice terror House of Wax . Rating : 6/10 . Passable and acceptable Western that will appeal to Randolph Scott fans . Worthwhile seeing .

Thunder Over The Plains is directed by André De Toth and written by Russell S. Hughes. It stars Randolph Scott, Lex Barker, Phyllis Kirk, Charles McGraw, Henry Hull & Elisha Cook Jr. Filmed in WarnerColor the exterior photography is by Bert Glennon at the Warner Ranch in Calabasas, and David Buttolph scores the music.

It's 1869, and Texas is still not part of the Union. Carpetbaggers rule the state and criminal activity is high. Captain Porter (Scott), a proud Texan himself, finds he has to carry out orders against his own countrymen. When a man in town is murdered in cold blood, suspicion falls on rogue cowboy Ben Westman (McGraw), but Porter believes he's innocent and strikes a deal to bring him in for a fair trial. However, this sets off a chain of events that leads to Porter himself becoming a wanted man.

Knowing direction, fine acting and a darn good script, all make Thunder Over The Plains essential viewing for the 50s Western fan. The bonus, aside from the impressive support cast, is the story itself. This was a troubled time, a time when only two states were not yet accepted back into the Union post the Civil War. Toth and Hughes paint a murky town, one of corruption, tax oppression and shifty shenanigans. There's even room in the story for strains on the family home of Porter and an attempt at adultery. Throw in the nice colour and scenery, pace it briskly with enjoyable action set-pieces (the shoot out at the end is familiar but excellently done), and it's a fictionalised winner. 7/10

Randolph Scott often shines as typical westerner. Here he plays Captain Potter a perfect example for Christian charity. He even prefers humiliation and danger to reputation of his lovely wife. He is a hero and a saint.

Scott never looks unbelievable in his part.

Lex Barker, former Tarzan and later superman "Old Shatterhand", plays against his image as arrogant villain. And I think he does it very well.

The story is entertaining and there are a lot of other good actors like Henry Hull, Phyllis Kirk and Elisha Cook jr. in it.

This really is an enjoyable B-western directed by veteran Andre de Toth.