IMDb RATING
6.1/10
310
YOUR RATING
Lieutenant Hemp Brown's army payroll wagon is robbed by ex-sergeant Jed Givens' gang, forcing Brown to search for the culprits after he is deemed a coward by the court martial.Lieutenant Hemp Brown's army payroll wagon is robbed by ex-sergeant Jed Givens' gang, forcing Brown to search for the culprits after he is deemed a coward by the court martial.Lieutenant Hemp Brown's army payroll wagon is robbed by ex-sergeant Jed Givens' gang, forcing Brown to search for the culprits after he is deemed a coward by the court martial.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
George American Horse
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Emile Avery
- Gang Member
- (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Wag Blesing
- Henchman
- (uncredited)
Charles Boaz
- Alf Smedley
- (uncredited)
George Bruggeman
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Dick Cherney
- Court Clerk
- (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
A rather decent U-I western from 1958.Rory Calhoun is properly vengeful as the wronged soldier who goes after bad guy John Larch and his gang. Beverly Garland was an interesting actress as she really was not beautiful in the traditional, glamorous girl or pinup way. I note this because she looks really 'hot' in this movie. I wonder if Director Richard Carlson had anything to do with this as he added a strong dose of heated passion in another U-I western that he directed four years prior ('Four Guns To the Border'); also with Calhoun. This is a good western and I don't think that you will be disappointed at all. For fans of Ms. Garland, I strongly recommend, 'Gunslinger' (1956) which is a very early directorial effort from Roger Corman. This is a bizarre western (also with John Ireland) which was completed on a shoestring budget and a one week shooting schedule.
After a botched robbery, an ex-cavalry lieutenant struggles to regain his good name by catching the real robber.
The first part—the robbery and the cashiering—made me think this would be a superior western. But then Brown (Calhoun) meets up with Mona (Garland) who falls for him immediately Hollywood style, and it's murky time from there on, especially when it's trying to figure out who's on what side and why. One thing about these Universal oaters of the 50's—they're always well photographed in Technicolor. So when the story flounders, as it does here, there's still lots to look at. I'm just sorry that two of the best B-actors of the period, Garland and Larch, don't get to do more. I was looking forward to Garland's hoochie-koochie before she wrapped herself in a cloak. Anyhow, if you can figure out the latter part of the plot-line, you might enjoy this otherwise routine oater.
The first part—the robbery and the cashiering—made me think this would be a superior western. But then Brown (Calhoun) meets up with Mona (Garland) who falls for him immediately Hollywood style, and it's murky time from there on, especially when it's trying to figure out who's on what side and why. One thing about these Universal oaters of the 50's—they're always well photographed in Technicolor. So when the story flounders, as it does here, there's still lots to look at. I'm just sorry that two of the best B-actors of the period, Garland and Larch, don't get to do more. I was looking forward to Garland's hoochie-koochie before she wrapped herself in a cloak. Anyhow, if you can figure out the latter part of the plot-line, you might enjoy this otherwise routine oater.
I know Richard Carlson better as an actor than as a director, and I am afraid THE SAGA OF HEMP BROWN does not explain why the thespian of solid performances in BEHIND LOCKED DOORS and THE SOUND OF FURY, for instance, should turn his hand to directing - an occupation at which he seems less gifted.
THE SAGA begins well enough, though Hemp Brown - anything to do with hemp, the drug? Nah, back in the 1850s they had never heard of it yet - begins his long list of stupid mistakes that allow Jed Givens (well played by John Larch) to turn the situation to his favor some three times during the flick.
So, believability is not THE SAGA's strongest asset - far from it, in fact - which reflects a poor screenplay by Bob Williams and Bernard Girard.
Cinematography by Philip Lathrop rates pedestrian at best, though occasionally you see some nice mountains in the background. Editing by Martinelli looks amateurish in the fisticuff sequences, where actors clearly avoid hurting each other.
Acting never rises above standard, though Beverly Garland is gorgeous, with a terrific pair of legs to boot.
Passable time waster oater. 6/10.
THE SAGA begins well enough, though Hemp Brown - anything to do with hemp, the drug? Nah, back in the 1850s they had never heard of it yet - begins his long list of stupid mistakes that allow Jed Givens (well played by John Larch) to turn the situation to his favor some three times during the flick.
So, believability is not THE SAGA's strongest asset - far from it, in fact - which reflects a poor screenplay by Bob Williams and Bernard Girard.
Cinematography by Philip Lathrop rates pedestrian at best, though occasionally you see some nice mountains in the background. Editing by Martinelli looks amateurish in the fisticuff sequences, where actors clearly avoid hurting each other.
Acting never rises above standard, though Beverly Garland is gorgeous, with a terrific pair of legs to boot.
Passable time waster oater. 6/10.
An army officer (Rory Calhoun) is blamed and is dishonourably discharged from the army wrongly after gold from a stagecoach is robbed. He goes after the man really responsible.
An indistinguishable low budget western that looks cheap, but fairly mature material.
An indistinguishable low budget western that looks cheap, but fairly mature material.
The Saga of Hemp Brown is a satisfactory western with great characters, good visuals and the usual solid performance from Rory Calhoun.
But...
Rory has a mission to clear his name. Ok nothing wrong with that...unless the movie presents about 10 different ways that this could occur before reaching its conclusion?
It ends up giving you the feeling of 'what's the point'. The plot totally destroys what is otherwise a good presentation.
I can usually overlook plot holes but The Saga of Hemp Brown keeps smacking you over the head with them.
Its a real shame and this was allowed to happen and it feels like they pumped out a movie treating the audience with contempt :)
But...
Rory has a mission to clear his name. Ok nothing wrong with that...unless the movie presents about 10 different ways that this could occur before reaching its conclusion?
It ends up giving you the feeling of 'what's the point'. The plot totally destroys what is otherwise a good presentation.
I can usually overlook plot holes but The Saga of Hemp Brown keeps smacking you over the head with them.
Its a real shame and this was allowed to happen and it feels like they pumped out a movie treating the audience with contempt :)
Did you know
- ConnectionsReferenced in Svengoolie: The Undead (2021)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Justicia y honor
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 20m(80 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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