The Border Legion

Around the time of the Civil War, outcasts from Eastern society gathered out in the Wild West border towns and formed outlaw groups. "Border Legion" is the story of one such band, a story by legendary western writer Zane Grey.

This Border Legion is led by Jack Holt, a Union officer on the run after killing a fellow officer. In his gang are such 'plug-uglys' as Eugene Palette, a card sharp wanted for murder, and worse still is Stanley Fields, a bad guy who is just bad. Holt befriends Richard Arlen, a cowpoke who was framed for murder, and together the group does a lot of bad guy things that don't need recounting. Suffice it to say it is nothing you have not seen before, which is the film's main drawback. In truth, since 1930 it's all been done and we in 2015 are jaded by what once fascinated audiences of long ago.

If you are a western fan it is passable entertainment but if you are looking for something new and exciting, move on, pardner. "Border Legion" was shown at Capitolfest, Rome N.Y., 8/15.