Schwarzes Kommando (1940)

Schwarzes Kommando: Directed by Raoul Walsh. With Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Walter Pidgeon, Roy Rogers. In Kansas, during the Civil War opposing pro-Union and pro-Confederate camps clash and visiting Texan Bob Seton runs afoul of William Cantrell’s Raiders.

“Although u0026#39;Dark Commandu0026#39; reads like a u0026#39;Whou0026#39;s Whou0026#39; of Westerns (John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gubby Hayes, Clare Trevor etc), the real u0026#39;staru0026#39; is its writer – William Riley (WR) Burnett.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHe created a vivid moral fable of the wild west – William Cantrell (Pidgeon)gives up the role of good School teacher to become a ruthless bushwacker and gunrunner. In the opposite corner is the illiterate Bob Seton (Wayne) who keeps the Faith and becomes town marshall. Both want to achieve things and get the same girl before the Civil War strikes(Trevor)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeton stands up for right even if it means losing friends and the girl, whilst Cantrell will stop at nothing to make a difference and as his Mother (Main) remarks u0026quot;the Devil is walking with youu0026quot;. The title of the movie must say it all for W R Burnett.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe picture is not only gripping but hilarious and good hearted in parts. Gubby Hayes is superb as Setonu0026#39;s Dentist/Barber/Butcher and is responsible for most of the humour and keeps your interest when the film starts to fade.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFor Western fans, u0026#39;Dark Commandu0026#39; is a must – to see Wayne, Rogers, Hayes u0026amp; Trevor together should not be missed. But general moviegoers should try and catch it if they can – to see the work of the man who (amongst others) penned u0026#39;Little Caesaru0026#39;, u0026#39;High Sierrau0026#39;, u0026#39;The Alsphalt Jungleu0026#39; and of course u0026#39;The Great Escapeu0026#39; (all great titles!)and frankly any movie that has the line u0026quot;Jumping Catfish – I can give up Barbering!u0026quot; has got to be worth a looksee.”