They Rode West Reviews

Given the job of medical officer at a western fort in which his predecessors did little to prove the worth of their profession, Francis shows himself to be a capable doctor and slowly wins the faith of the residents. But his liberal-mindedness soon works against him when he treats members of the local Kiowa tribe. The hardened soldiers stop trusting him, apparently with good reason because the Kiowas join a band of Comanches to invade the fort. But Francis' tactics prove the best medicine when he ends the raids by helping the Kiowas once again. Strong characterizations and capable direction keep the plot from becoming too bogged down. Low-budget director Karlson, who did most of his work for Universal Pictures, here ventures into John Ford's territory very capably. He demonstrates the meticulous attention to detail that gained him a cult following. Leading players Francis and Wynn had appeared in THE CAINE MUTINY (1954); this was only the second film for both. The handsome, muscular, blond-haired Francis died the year following the film's release at the age of 25.