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His raiders are broken up and Quantrill dies in an army hospital. Audie Murphy is sentenced to death, but the sentence is commuted to 20 years on the recommendation of Buster Crabbe, who led the attack on them. Crabbe winds up leading the Arizona Rangers. There the remnants Quantrill's forces have retreated, to become outlaws. The government can't figure out where they are, where they will strike, but he comes up with a plan: release Murphy, induct him into the Rangers and set him after the bad guys.

Audie Murphy had moved surely into westerns after he became the most decorated American soldier in the Second World War and had prospered. He was getting on in years, and the genre westerns were beginning to disappear. This movie was an attempt by him and director William Witney to produce something epic and mythic. It begins with a recitation of Quantrill's history, and moves in action. There are many nice touches: Murphy's conflicted position, the beautiful Indian girl played by Gloria Talbott, the importance of oaths, the stalwart Crabbe, and the savage Indians who carry their victims away like demons. It's a B western on a grand scale, and Witney was the man who ld bring it off if anyone could. Ford had abandoned the trappings of B productions four decades earlier. Witney had begun in the Bs, the youngest director around when he began, and he had reformed the genre, the fights, the stories, always constrained by short budgets and shooting schedules. Now, with a color camera and three decades of experience, could he save the traditional western?

Alas, no. The western was passing out of the mythscape of the world, gradually being replaced by the new frontier of science fiction. But he makes a good try here, and there are some lovely moments that recall when the west was the endless frontier, before civilization closed in. Now the West was a landscape in which everyone was corrupt, where the good, the bad and the ugly fought endlessly without any sense of right or wrong.

But Witney certainly gives it a shot. There are some lovely moments and good, canny work here. It's just that not enough people cared any more.

William Quantrell's raiders are cornered by Capt. Tom Andrews and Quantrell and a number of his men are killed. Two are captured whilst Montana Smith and the others escape to carry on their illegal operations. Clint Stewart and Willie Martin are the two captives, who much to their surprise, are spared a death sentence on account of Capt. Andrews vouching for them as soldiers of integrity and honour. Sentenced to 20 years hard labour, the guys are faced with an interesting proposition when Andrews offers to break them out so as they can join the Texas Rangers. The plan being for them to infiltrate the renegade Raiders and help to bring them down.

With few votes and even less reviews of substance written, one could be forgiven for thinking that Arizona Raiders is barely worth the time. Using elements of the Quantrell Raiders legacy and blending with the Texas Rangers plot lines, Arizona Raiders is not found wanting in the entertainment department. Directed by William Witney and starring Audie Murphy, Buster Crabbe (this film not to be confused with Crabbe's 1936 film, The Arizona Raiders) and Michael Dante, it's a film that has a number of notable issues within its plot. It would have been easy to just have it as a straight forward tale about bad guys turning good (something other reviewers claim it to be), but writers Frank Gruber and Richard Schayer add impetus to the good versus bad axis by cramming in other factors.

Murphy plays lead protagonist Clint Stewart, asked to basically switch sides and loyalties, his conflict is excellently portrayed by genre legend Murphy. His resolve is further tested by emotional pulls involving his brother and best friend, with Witney and his team seemingly happy to put Stewart through the mangler, with the result being a richly told character strand. Also into the equation comes the role of the Indians, so often seen as the nemesis and bad boys of the genre, here they get something slightly different as they become involved in this white man squabble. It's really rather refreshing the part they have to play. Though the score from Richard LaSalle is badly out of sorts, this is off set a touch by the visual treat on offer with the locale. Beautifully shot by Jacques R. Marquette, the Gold Canyon location is a sumptuous extra character, giving an added depth to the story unfolding. The story is nicely paced by Witney, who rightly gives us development of characters in the first half of the piece, while all the genre staples of shoot outs, villains and chases are nicely added to the already intriguing broth.

A little treasure as far as this viewer is concerned. So if you be a genre fan such as I? Well do catch this one if you get the chance. 7/10

I saw this recently on cable and, admittedly, I'm a bit biased due to the fact that I have lived in Arizona for 33 years. Looks to me that special attention was paid to the scenery in this film and it's a terrific shoot-em-up. I also applaud the defensive use of cactus in this film, quite painful as I've experienced in person :)

Lots of great action and like a previous poster said, the Indians are on the side of the "good guys" this time out and are not the enemies. Looks like it was a great time while filming!

They've been showing it on cable recently and it's worth your time if you happen to stumble upon it.

At film's beginning Booth Colman, as editor of the Ohio Gazette, wastes seven minutes narrating the ruthlessness of William Quantrill, infamously known gang leader and Confederate sympathizer who murdered the adult male population of Lawrence Kansas. Since the first few active minutes of the movie do center on the Civil War brigand, one wonders why the narration persists for so long. Anyway, with the War over (1865), the story begins to move along smoothly as the Quantrill band continues to operate.

Union Captain Tom Andrews (Buster Crabbe) tracks down and corners Quantrill (Fred Graham) and his gang in an abandoned farmhouse/barn. Although some gang members escape, Quantrill is severely wounded and captured. He will eventually breathe his last in a Union hospital, and he will not be seen in the picture again. (By the way, Quantrill died in June 1865.) Meanwhile two gang members are captured, partially through the machinations of Montana Smith (George Keymas), a shady and disloyal gang member who escapes the Federal grasp. The two arrested ex-Confederate soldiers, Clint Stewart (Audie Murphy) and friend Willie Martin (Ben Cooper), served honorably for the Southern cause. But when they returned home at war's end they found that Carpetbaggers were in control. Since the two ex-troopers could not find work, they joined Quantrill's outfit. Though the sympathy of both Andrews and the presiding judge, the two receive lighter sentences than usual but still get 20 years hard labor in prison.

Escaping from the Federal troops, both Montana and Brady (Michael Dante) have reformed the Quantrill gang and are running roughshod in Arizona, where the post-Civil War law is not strong. Enter Andrews again, as he has been hired by the territorial governor to head up the newly formed Arizona Rangers. Andrews' mission is to capture the gang and bring it to justice. As Andrews is impressed with Stewart and Martin's background he makes a risky bargain with them: unconditional pardons and positions as Arizona Rangers if they infiltrate the gang and bring about its destruction. To make the situation legitimate, Andrews arranges for a fake-prison escape. The two ex-Rebels can flee to Mexico, but better judgment prevails and they go to work against Montana and Brady, who by this time have taken control of a Yaqui Indian village.

This rousing and colorful western features beautiful Arizona scenery. William Whitney directed a typical cowboy movie with some perky shoot-outs and ornery villains, especially Keymas' sadistic and vile Montana (By contrast, accomplice Brady is almost a church choir member). Fred Graham, who portrays Quantrill, was twice the age of the real outlaw, but his work here is sound. Murphy of course fits in well in a familiar role.

There were high quality westerns made in 1965, like "Major Dundee," "The Sons of Katie Elder," and the comedy-western "Cat Ballou." But it was a watershed year for the genre as times were a-changin'. In 1966 Burt Kennedy would direct "Welcome to Hard Times" (released in 1967). Also, westerns from Europe were making their arrivals in the USA. These films would alter the western and blur the distinction between the good guys and the bad ones. They kept the guns of the good guy, but took away most of his moral code. Alas, they created the anti-hero, a major influence of those westerns made in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

(See my review for the watershed western "Welcome to Hard Times" dated 23 Nov 2011.)

The Over-Saturation of Movie and TV Westerns in the 1950's caused the Genre to Fade Fast around 1962.

With the Notable Exception of Sergio Leone's Imports the Western became a Box-Office Gamble. So this 1965 Audie Murphy Western was Bucking the Trend.

Not that Critics paid much Attention to Murph beforehand. He was always Overlooked and Ignored during His Career.

So this one was given the Usual Dismissal, came and went Without Fanfare as was Par for the Course for Most of the War Hero's Movies.

But it's an Above Average Western with an Epic Feel some Brutal Action, with Complex Alliances and Characters.

It's also a Treat for Movie Buffs to See Buster Crabbe, Looking Rugged and Fit during the Late Stage of a Long Career in the B's. He Played Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and Tarzan.

Gloria Talbot is Good as a Yaqui and Her Tribe's Action weighs in Heavily and Adds some Native American Flavor to the Film.

This one will Not Disappoint Western or Audie Murphy Fans. It is one of His Better 1960's Movies.

Note...Don't let the Tacked-On for TV opening of a dull presentation turn you off. Just wait 7 minutes and it will be gone. Thank Heaven.

Have appreciated Westerns for a long time now, even if the Western genre is not one of my favourite film genres and more a "appreciate rather than love" one. Not just the famous ones of John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Anthony Mann and John Ford, but there are also some worthwhile lesser known modestly budgeted ones. Audie Murphy is not a favourite of mine, but he was amiable enough and it is sad that he died so tragically at the young age he was.

'Arizona Raiders' was one of those films where time spent watching it was not regretted and it is worth a one-time watch. Murphy himself comes over well. There are though far better and more inspired Westerns about, from before and since 'Arizona Raiders', and it on the whole didn't have me jumping out of my chair or have me exclaiming "must see". It looks good and the casting is better than average, but the script and story never quite have the wow factor.

Murphy is an amiable presence and is a long way from charisma-deprived in his role, he may not fit the part of a Western hero physically if we are to stereotype a bit but he is just right dramatically. Have nothing to complain about with the performances overall, with menacing George Keymas giving the other standout turn. 'Arizona Raiders' looks good, a lot of time and care went into the scenery clearly and the photography is both atmospheric and attractive.

The music is not the most memorable there is but it at least fits with the tone of the story, is not at odds with the atmosphere and sounds appealing. Did appreciate that the characters weren't too stereotyped, if not meaty, including portraying characters that can be portrayed stereotypically and negatively with tact. What there is of the action has some excitement and tension.

Which generally in 'Arizona Raiders' come too far and between, for me the story was fairly by the numbers, sometimes dull and could have done with a lot more tension and surprises. The first half an hour agreed is not always easy to sit through, with the film getting off to a weak start. Particularly with agreed an overlong and quite corny opening scene, further ruined by an overused and over-explanatory voice over that for some may not have been needed. The direction is competent but undistinguished.

Furthermore, the character writing generally could have been much meatier. Motivations are either under-explored or don't make sense and in the case of some of the conflict both. Especially between Clint and Brady, which is introduced out of the blue and not really that well developed. Michael Dante does his best as Brady but was not menacing enough, which did dull the conflict. A lot of the writing is silly and indifferent, it could have done with a lot more edge and had a more natural flow. Also felt that this aspect was rather sketchy with not enough fleshed out enough.

Bottom line, alright film but nothing special. 5/10

When the Quantrell gang is almost destroyed, two of its members, Clint (Audie Murphy) and Willie Martin (Ben Cooper), are taken prisoner, but they later escape from prison thanks to a captain (Buster Crabbe) who assigns them a dangerous mission, to become Arizona Rangers and hunt down the murderous members of their former band. They are rumored to be hiding in a town "near the border", according to the words of a ballroom dancer. So our protagonists head off to pursue the thugs - Brady (Michael Dante) and Montana (George Keymas) - who are allegedly hiding on an Indian mission. After a massacre, there they find a beautiful young Indian woman (Gloria Talbott), but then things go wrong.

In the period when European westerns were in vogue, the sixties, with Sergio Leone as the main architect, this western film from th was released on screens with relative success . The film is full of whirlwinds of action, confrontations, emotions, fights, sustained energy and, often, praiseworthy results. The feature film has a raw elegance and vigor, although some scenes are a failure. A tense but already seen plot allowed director William Witney to maintain scenes with pedigree and at their own gallop, as well as exciting and moving moments. The Indian attacks, the shootouts, the pyrotechnics, the duels, the horse chases, all of them are briefly spectacular due to the condition of being a low-budget film, that is why the film is another passable Hollywood product, but B-series. It contains some vigorous and cleverly done action scenes, but others do not make much sense. There's a surprising description about the Yaqui Indians that are described as somewhat wild natives who subject their enemies to cruel torture, such as the execution of the "Cactus." The film stars Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II, who, after the conflict, turned to film actor, playing a soldier in the war in the movie "Return to Hell," as well as developing a brief career as a country musician. Here Murphy plays in his ordinary style a former follower of the well-known Quantrell who is escaped from prison with his friend Ben Cooper to become an agent of the Arizona Rangers in order to hunt down the remnants of the gang. He is accompanied by an aging Buster Crabbe, a former Olympic swimmer who in his youth successfully played three of the most popular comic book heroes of the 1930s: Tarzan (Tarzan of the Beasts), Flash Gordon (Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe) and Buck Rogers (Buck Rogers).

The film was professionally directed by William Witney, one of Tarantino's favorite filmmakers. In fact, he was the one who began choreographing the action scenes in Westerns, following the pattern used in Busby Berkeley's musicals. A prolific filmmaker, Witney was a craftsman who worked extensively for Republic Pictures, the studio where he worked for many years producing a series of low-budget Westerns, many of them starring singing cowboys like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Witney spent his entire career making serials and second-rate films, such as 40 Guns at Apache Pass as well as Apache Rifles. After World War II, William Witney continued acting in western films such as Shadows of Tombstone, Heart of Rockies, Bells of Coronado, The Painted Stallion, The Lone Ranger, Home in Oklahoma, On the Old Spanish Trail, High Time in Nevada, Gay Ranchero, Helldorado, Rex Ryder, Eyes of Texas, among others. In addition, his work in television included some quite interesting episodes of successful series, such as: High Chaparral, Bonanza, Laramie, Zorro, The Virginian, Wagon Train and he continued working in film and was able to make passable mid-budget films such as Santa Fe Passage, The Bonnie Parker story, Robur and Escaped from Devil Island. Score: 5.5/10. An acceptable and slightly decent western, at times, that Audie Murphy fans will love.

This movie is a remake of the 1951 movie "The Texas Rangers", same plot, same storyline, same lines. Only the locale and the actors are different. I take that back, this time it wasn't just a couple of men who were removed from prison, they were moved from state to state.

Having said that, I did enjoy the movie. There were enough changes to make it interesting. Audie Murphy did a wonderful job in the lead role. The location was beautiful. The director did a good job in making this movie stand on it's own.

If you liked the earlier movie, you will enjoy this remake. Audie Murphy fans should enjoy seeing him in this.

A remake of 1951 The Texas Rangers, Arizona Raiders faithfully follows its general plot,however, there's some differences. The conflicted persona of the lead character, as played Audie Murphy, who is asked to choose sides between the rangers and heading over the border, is better played and distinctive. The other characters are finely etched too, such as George Keymas, who plays the outlaw like a maniac. Sure there is that narration in the opening, and the fact Quantrill never travelled to Arizona, but it's not meant to be historically accurate ( which western is?), but it's a rousing, fast-paced western that marries the B-western with the elements that you would find in paella westerns. I.e. a little more blood, the cactus used as torture. There's an air of comic book style going on, especially with the action and the Native Americans fleeting in and carrying away the bad guys like wreaths. The cinematography and location is really eye catching. Buster Crabbe and Ben Cooper adds to the fun. This is a fun and an exciting western that I first saw on UK Television ( channel 4)in 1991 and i was really looking forward to watch it. I was corresponding with western writer J.T Edson, who based his character Dusty Fog on Audie, at the time, and he was looking forward in watching it, too

The strangest feature of this terse, brutal western set in the aftermath of the defeat of the South is the ten-minute introduction it commences with to the nefarious career of Quantrell (portrayed as usual as middle-aged rather in his twenties) by an uncredited Booth Colman playing a newspaper editor.

He then disappears from the rest of the film and the sequence looks suspiciously as if it was added post production to make up the running time.

This mid '60s western has the look of a mid '50s release. After being sentenced to 20 years hard labor for crimes while riding with the Quantrell's Raiders, a young confederate hero(Audie Murphy)is offered an unconditional pardon if he will help round up the remnants of the notorious gang that is still terrorizing Arizona Territory. The gang has kidnapped an attractive daughter of an Indian Chief. The Chief and some of his braves help Murphy capture and break up the renegade Raiders. With the mission completed, Murphy rides away continuing his new career as an Arizona Ranger.

No real surprises, just feel good cowboy shoot 'em up. And its good to see the Indians team up with the good guys this time out.

Supporting cast includes veteran actor Buster Crabbe along with the attractive Gloria Talbot, "Red" Morgan, Ben Cooper, Michael Dante and Fred Graham.

Despite an unnecessary prologue in which we are treated to a history of the life and career of William Quantrill, Arizona Raiders concerns us with the efforts of former Quantrill members Audie Murphy and Ben Cooper to capture a large band of former Quantrill men led by Michael Dante and George Keymas who are now operating in Arizona.

The man who captured Murphy and Cooper is Buster Crabbe former Army captain and now in charge of the new Arizona Rangers. He's offering Murphy and Cooper a Dirty Dozen like mission, get them and there will be a pardon awaiting. What Crabbe doesn't know is that Murphy is both one unreconstructed rebel and he's got a younger brother in the Rangers already played by Ray Stricklyn. That fact cuts several ways before the film is over.

Arizona Raiders is a decent enough western. Murphy was still going strong in doing these second feature B films. But it was certainly nothing you couldn't see on television where westerns ruled at that time on the small screen.

It was really great watching it being filmed. I was lucky enough to meet and get autographs from AUDIE MURPHY, BEN COOPER, GLORIA TALBOTT, GEORGE KEYMAS. Lucky enough to get my picture taken with BEN COOPER. I rate this movie 1000% I also have a bought copy and watch it quite often. Gidget [Lilly

Cut out the needless narration which rambles on and on like a high school history class and it is a decent enough film. Audie Murphy is always likeable and tries his best to entertain in this "B" film. If you are a Murphy fan, you will like it. If not, forget it.

Another Audie Murphy Western that comes up short in all aspects of production. Colonel Quantrill & his raiders are attacking & robbing towns at the end of the Civil War so the Union army is dispatched to quell his siege. Murphy plays one of the raiders who's caught & given a chance to be deputized & corral the stragglers who've sent up camp at an Indian village. Considering this effort came out in 1965 when most Westerns began to shift their focus to more timely & intimate subjects, this feels like a throwback to the westerns from the 40's & 50's which wasn't a good thing. The blandness of the plot, the uninspired casting & the lackluster direction continually place this film's prospects in the demerit column. The only smile I got was seeing Buster Crabbe, the original Flash Gordon & Buck Rogers from the serials of the 1930's, playing the Union commander who gives Murphy a new lease on life. Forgettable for a reason, skip it!

The WWII hero, Audie Murphy, was soon recruited by Hollywood and became a minor star. However, nearly all of his 45 films were westerns...meaning he was definitely type cast. I've recently seen several of them. A couple were really top-notch films, such as "Drums Across the River" and "Apache Rifles". But most were pretty ordinary westerns...and "Arizona Raiders", despite being in color, is pretty ordinary.

The film begins just after the Civil War and for a couple months, Quantrell and his bloody Raiders refuse to accept that the war is over and they continue robbing and killing. However, after Quantrell and many of his gang are killed, two of the band's former members are recruited to go into Arizona and capture or kill them, as they definitely are no longer fighting for any cause...apart from murder! Clint (Audie Murphy) is one of these new Rangers out to stop his old gang.

There are a few problems with the film. First, tons of westerns have featured Quantrell's Raiders...so the folks in it are practically cliches. Second, the film begins with a very long introduction by some guy who lectures about Quantrell...followed by even more narration. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with more exposition than this one! Third, the story and Murphy's characters never really take off and the story tends to be rather talky. Fourth, Gloria Talbot sounded NOTHING like a Yaqui Indian...and although the dark paint made her look Indian-like, she was a poor choice to play such a part.

What's to like? Well, the color footage is nice. But that's really about it and it's nothing more than an okay time-passer.

The usually reliable Audie Murphy fails to deliver in this western snorefest.

Its very slow.

Somehow the film comes across with a preachy vibe, perhaps from the opening history lesson we receive before the movie kicks of in earnest.

Its also a bit paint by numbers covering a topic even Murphy has covered before, so it offers nothing new to the viewer.

There are thankfully plenty of better westerns out there to enjoy so I would probably save yourself the time and trouble on this one.

Nearly the worst for both director William Witney and Audie Murphy. Predictable, nearly boring and this beginning with a man talking to the camera for nine minutes !!! I don't remember this in any movie before. I know that any movie speaking of Quantrill needs explanations in the beginning, but here it is so boring and discouraging I won't say it is a crap but so forgettable, bland. Only for die hard western fans. If you watched this kind of stuff every day, you would become reluctant to westerns in general. Buster Crabbe presence could have been more rewarding with a better script, especially co starring Audie Murphy. And why this off voice, as if the audience could not understand? Forget it.