The Firebrand Reviews

Loosely based on the lawless life of legendary Joaquin Murieta, the Hispanic Robin Hood of California in the mid-1800s, this film offers a sympathetic view of the plight of the Spanish-speaking long-time residents of the area during the invasion of the gold-hungry gringos. De Vargas has the title role. When Summers, brother of his lady love, Montell, is wounded, De Vargas offers to release his captive, bounty hunter Johnson, in payment for medical treatment for the lad. Against his conscience, Johnson is later pressed by Ranger chief Taylor--whose gold-shipment stewardship has been violated by De Vargas's band--to lead Taylor to the outlaw encampment. In a surprise attack, the Rangers butcher the inhabitants, including Summers. The absent De Vargas, hearing of the tragedy while in a cantina, goes wild and gets arrested. Ignorant of the importance of their catch, the arresting deputies let him go free. Assembling the remnants of his band, De Vargas assaults Taylor's Ranger group and captures Taylor. After some introspection De Vargas elects to settle for shaming his opponent rather than killing him. He sends Taylor back to town bound and lashed to his horse. De Vargas, his sweetheart, and his merry men, then make haste for Sonora and safety,