Kansas Raiders is directed by Ray Enright and written by Robert Richards. It stars Audie Murphy, Brian Donlevy, Marguerite Chapman, Scott Brady and Tony Curtis. A Technicolor production, music is by Milton Rosen and cinematography by Irving Glassberg. Plot has it that the James and Younger Brothers along with Kit Dalton, join Quantrill's Raiders after witnessing at first hand Redleg atrocities. However, after believing they would be fighting soldiers for the war effort, the men find themselves participating in equally worse war crimes. Something that deeply affects the young Jesse James.OK, it's very fanciful in its telling of a bitter and sad period of American history. Facts of the period and the characters are jettisoned in favour of making an exciting 1950 Oater. Any hope of a depth strewn historical take on William Quantrill's Raiders will lead to disappointment, something that is all too evident with many of the venomous reviews of the film out in internet world. Yet judged on its own unfussy entertaining terms, film scores high for the casual Western fan as shoot-outs, knife fights and stand-offs keep the film perky.The ominous black flag of Quantrill.As a story the film provides enough of an edge to make its point, we are left in no doubt about the "atrocity exhibition" dealt out by Quantrill's Raiders. There's also a neat thread within about the corruption of youth. Yes, for sure it's a picture low on accuracy, but it doesn't soft soap the subject to hand. This is a 1950 production after all and the makers at least manage to leave us in no doubt about the nature of the crimes committed by certain factions in the Civil War. In fact a couple of scenes really leave indelible images, and from an action viewpoint the "sacking of Lawrence" is excellent in construction and impact garnered.Production wise it's also good value, Glassberg's Technicolor photography is gorgeous, not just for the Garner Valley and Kanab locations, but also for bringing out the quality of the set decoration (Russell A. Gausman/Ruby R. Levitt) and Bill Thomas' costuming. Cast are fine without pulling up any trees. Donlevy is the class act on show, but here as Quantrill he gets by on presence alone, the absence of outright character nastiness is sadly felt. The latter of which, however, is provided by the solid Brady as Bill Anderson. Murphy as young Jesse James has youthful exuberance and bravado down pat, while Curtis as Kit Dalton is enjoyable in amongst the five group dynamic. Marguerite Chapman (Coroner Creek) as Kate Clarke (Quantrill's girl) has the tough task of playing the sole female in the film, and although well older than the character in real life, she does a nice line in sexy and wise older woman for the scenes shared with Murphy's James. 7/10

Any of Universal's Audie Murphy westerns are well worth watching, and Kansas Raiders is no exception. Murphy plays Jesse James who rides with his brother and the Dalton boys to join up with Quantrill -- to continue the war in the Midwest.In time Jesse and the boys will become disillusioned with Quantrill and his ways (perhaps not any slower than Americans with buyer's remorse in 2010 not wanting the USA as a socialist state). But loyalty dies hard, and Quantrill will hold power over Jesse for a long time.One ought not take the "history" in movies like this too seriously. The #1 and #2 targets of Hollywood writers who never read a history book are Senator Joseph McCarthy and General Quantrill. Instead they simply watch other old movies and re-state all the lies. Quantrill's mission is always restated in terms of blood and gore. Oh, right! Try this: If you want senseless killing try reading about Genersal Grant at Cold Harbor, Virginia. He didn't kill many Confederates, but killed 2000 of his own men by refusing them medical attention after their failed battle. Try Google.Kansas Raiders is worth watching again every few years. 8/10

What are you going to do when you are a national hero; the most decorated combat soldier of WWII? Among his 33 awards was the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for bravery that a soldier can receive. In addition, he was also decorated for bravery by the governments of France and Belgium, and was credited with killing over 240 German soldiers and wounding and capturing many more.Well, I guess you go kill out in the Ole West, and that is JustWhat Audie Murphy did. This is one of his early efforts and it really is not a bad one. He plays Jesse James who, along with his brother Frank, the Younger brothers and Kit Dalton join Quantrille's Raiders until they realize just what he was and become sick of the whole thing.Tony Curtis is here - I think it may have been the second film he did.A good shoot 'em up about a sordid chapter of our history.

Does anyone know where I can purchase this movie on DVD or VHS? My mother and I love classic movies and there are several titles, including Kansas Raiders, that she would like to have. Reasons she likes the movie are the setting (Civil War period), she likes Audie Murphy since she was growing up during WWII, when he was quite a hero, and she likes films about war and full of action. She would be grateful to hear from anyone who can help guide her in purchasing this film. I have looked everywhere on the web to find it and have been unable to and it has not been on TV or I would have taped it. If any collectors are reading this please reply through the message board at IMDb. Thank you.