''Red Mountain'' is a 1951 American Western historical film, starring

Alan Ladd Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and film producer. Ladd found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. He was often paired with Veronica Lake ...

, set in the last days of the US Civil War. The plot centres on an attempt by Quantrill's Raiders to stir up rebellion in the West.

Plot

Colorado, 1865: A gold assayer is killed and Lane Waldron is seen leaving, so a posse goes after him and, when he is caught, turns into a lynch mob. Lane claims he had a sample from his mine examined by the assayer, but denies shooting him. A noose around Lane's neck is shot in half at the last second by an unseen marksman. The rescuer turns out to be Brett Sherwood, a Confederate captain from the Civil War. The pair escape to a cabin that Lane knows of. At the cabin Brett leaves a gun unattended as a test, when Lane grabs it and aims it at Brett he finds that it's not loaded. Brett the ties up Lane and leaves him. Lane's sweetheart, Chris, arrives at the cabin and releases Lane. The pair then track Brett and capture him. They tie up Brett for the night and take turns guarding him. Chris and Brett discus the war and he finds that she has different loyalties from Lane, hating the rebels and General William Quantrill in particular for killing her family. During the night Brett escapes from his bonds. As Brett prepares to get away a struggle ensues during which Lane's leg is broken. Brett stops his escape to help Lane. Brett and Chris find a cave and Get Lane inside. As he leaves to go for a doctor, Quantrill and his raiders turn up, taking Lane and Chris captive. Quantrill has set up an ambush for the US Army. While showing Brett the setup one of Quantrill's men tries to assault Chris. Chris shoots him, warning the army. Quantrill learns of Lanes gold mine and decides to save him. Quantrill sends Chris and Randall to town for a doctor. During their absence Brett starts questioning Quantrill's motives. Brett and Chris return with a doctor who operates on Lane, saving both his life and leg. Quantrill decides to kill the captives anyway so Brett brings them food and guns and helps the doctor escape so the doctor can get help. Unfortunately the doctor is caught and killed. Brett then sneaks out to go for help. A band of Indians, who had been working with Quantrill, attack Chris and Lane at the cave. Lane is shot by a Ute, who is killed by Chris. As he lies dying, Lane says he wants Chris and Brett to have his gold mine. Brett arrives with the Army and posse. Brett runs down and kills Quantrill. Brett confesses that he was the one who had killed the assayer, who had been trying to cheat him and pulled a gun on him.

Cast

as Brett * Lizabeth Scott as Chris * John Ireland as Quantrill *

Arthur Kennedy John Arthur Kennedy (February 17, 1914January 5, 1990) was an American stage and film actor known for his versatility in supporting film roles and his ability to create "an exceptional honesty and naturalness on stage", especially in the origi ...

as Lane *

Bert Freed Bert Freed (November 3, 1919 – August 2, 1994) was an American character actor, voice-over actor, and the first actor to portray Detective Columbo. Life and career Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Freed began acting while attending P ...

as Randall *

Jeff Corey Jeff Corey (born Arthur Zwerling; August 10, 1914 – August 16, 2002) was an American stage and screen actor who became a well-respected acting teacher after being blacklisted in the 1950s. Life and career Corey attended New Utrecht High ...

as Skee * Neville Brand as Dixon * Francis McDonald as Marshal Roberts *

Whit Bissell Whitner Nutting Bissell (October 25, 1909 – March 5, 1996) was an American character actor. Early life Born in New York City, Bissell was the son of surgeon Dr. J. Dougal Bissell and Helen Nutting Bissell. He was educated at the Allen-S ...

as Miles * Jay Silverheels as Little Crow

Production

The film was originally called ''Quantrill's Raiders''. At one stage

Burt Lancaster Burton Stephen Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994) was an American actor and producer. Initially known for playing tough guys with a tender heart, he went on to achieve success with more complex and challenging roles over a 45-yea ...

and Wendell Corey, who were both under contract to Hal Wallis, were to star. The lead role eventually went to

. It was shot on location in New Mexico near the town of

Gallup Gallup may refer to: *Gallup, Inc., a firm founded by George Gallup, well known for its opinion poll *Gallup (surname), a surname *Gallup, New Mexico, a city in New Mexico, United States **Gallup station, an Amtrak train in downtown Gallup, New Me ...

. Director William Dieterle fell ill during the shoot and John Farrow flew out to take over. His work is uncredited.

References

External links

* {{William Dieterle 1951 films 1951 Western (genre) films American Western (genre) films Films scored by Franz Waxman Films directed by William Dieterle Films produced by Hal B. Wallis Paramount Pictures films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films