Hell's Crossroads 1957

The Romantic Story of the Fabulous Outlaw JESSE JAMES!

5.3 / 10   6 vote(s)
NR
Western

An imprisoned gunfighter must scatter to elude the authorities. Outlaws Bob Ford (Robert Vaughn) and Vic Rodell (Stephen McNally) are nabbed, but the governor offers them amnesty in exchange for their help in bringing Jesse and his brother Frank (Douglas Kennedy) to justice. Peggie Castle and Barton MacLane also star in this tale of the Old West's most famous traitor.

Release Date 1957-03-08
Runtime 1h 13m
Director Franklin Adreon
Producer
Writers John K. Butler, Barry Shipman, John K. Butler

Frank Adreon has taken more than a little care to inject some character into the folks in this exciting little B-western. "Vic" (Stephen McNally) is on fine form as the prisoner offered parole on the condition that he captures - alive - the infamous train robber Jesse James (Henry Brandon) with whom he used to ride. Historians of the James gang and their activities may well dislike this now, as it begins to deviate rather from fact. "Vic" reunites with an old flame "Paula" (Peggy Castle), she is the sister of the Ford members of the gang - Bob (Robert Vaughn) and Clay (Harry Shannon) and whilst there are some elements true to the facts, including the slaying of James, the rest of the film is just an hybrid of stories used to created a "loosely based on" kind of adventure - and it is perfectly acceptable at that. It's got plenty of shoot-outs, fast-paced riding - even an attempted lynching, and Vaughn, Pinkerton man "O'Connell" (Barton MacLane) and Shannon work well with some decent photography to keep the pot boiling along nicely.

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