The American Civil War has ended four years earlier and Texas valiantly still refuses to join the Union . Carpetbaggers from the north dominate the economic landscape sticking their talons in to the population of Texas . Rebel Ben Westman becomes a folk hero fighting both the carpetbaggers and army of occupation . Texas born federal army captain David Porter is ordered to hunt Westman down Carpetbagger is a word I've heard of for a very long time but it it's only recently that I've found out that it's a noun and derogatory term given to Northern businessmen who moved south to make a fast and cruel buck in the reconstruction of the South . You can rely on Americans to cheer the underdog and Westman is referenced in the opening narration as being a modern day Robin Hood so the audience quickly know whose side to takeOne thing that sticks out is that watching THUNDER OVER THE PLAINS in 2013 is that the entire story could easily be made today as a war drama set in Iraq or Afghanistan with very little modification where an Iraqi/Afghan born US army officer finds himself set against a childhood friend waging a war of resistance against American occupiers . Of course from a moral point of view the audience would then be on the side of the United States and the Westman character would be the standard Hollywood bad guy rather than the noble freedom fighter . On second thoughts it wouldn't be the same story at all That said THUNDER OVER THE PLAINS does have a rather timeless quality to it where audiences are allowed to cheer on someone who isn't necessarily a villain , just someone who is fighting for what he believes in and getting framed for something he didn't do . The film also manages to paint Porter as a man who has a dilemma of being part of a new America which means putting aside earlier friendships while having to do what a man has to do . Add to this the Technicolor cinematography and you've got a film that's far better than what could have been another B movie Western

Randy is in a complicated situation. He is a Captain(Porter) in the Union occupational army in Reconstruction Texas. But, he is a Texan himself, although pro-Union during the war. Thus, he finds his duty to uphold what amounts to swindling of the Texans by carpetbaggers often distasteful. Along with newly arrived Cpt. Hodges, he is charged with rounding up the Westman gang of Texans, who have held up cotton wagon trains owned by the carpetbaggers Standish and Balfour, and are accused of the murder of an informant. Unfortunately, Randy and Cpt. Hodges are sometimes at odds in strategy in capturing the gang. Later, they come to blows over Hodges' romantic interest in Randy's wife, played by Phyllis Kirk. She is unhappy in their present situation, being ostracized by most of the Texans.Balfour knifes the informant on the Westman gang in the back to regain the reward money just given him. Westman is blamed for this murder. The body was pinned with a note indicating this, but Randy doesn't believe it. Standish witnessed the murder, but is afraid to tell about it. Westman, when cornered, gives himself up to Randy on the promise that he will get a fair trial for the murder. But, orders are soon received by the army commander to hang Westman without a trial. Standish is kidnapped by the Westman gang and held for exchange of Westman. Randy tries to find a way to prove Westman is innocent of the murder and agrees to go to the gang's hideout as a civilian to talk to Standish. But, just as Standish is about to spill the beans on the real murderer, he is accidentally shot by Cpt. Hodges, who is trying to shoot Randy, as an army deserter. See the film to find out how Randy brings a happy conclusion to this mess.This is pretty much a hard-driving drama, with few light moments, other than the stripping of the hated carpetbaggers by Westman's gang. Randy lacks the light-hearted sidekicks, budding romances and nightspot scenes that provided a better balance of duty and relaxation in the film "The Man Behind the Gun", released the same year. Nonetheless, it is a good historically plausible story and provides enough complexities to maintain the viewer's interest.Since this film was made, our idea of the pervasiveness of carpetbagger corruption and opportunism has undergone a revision, recognizing that these have been overemphasized. Many carpetbaggers were ex-union soldiers, who remained in the South after discharge. A glaring anomaly I noticed was the lack of any African Americans or Mexicans in this community. Possible, but unexpected. I must say that Lex Barker, as Captain Hodges, showed a striking physical resemblance to a middle-aged John Travolta. For those used to seeing Fess Parker as Davy Crocket or Daniel Boone, it will be a novelty seeing him as a murdered member of the outlaw gang.

This film takes place in Texas after the civil war. The "carpetbaggers" were buying cotton bales for ridiculous prices after it was auctioned. Randolph Scott is Captain Porter who is obliged to maintain the law even though he is really on the side of those who are fighting the carpetbaggers, whose leader is Ben Westman (Charles McGraw). Scott does not resign only because he thinks someone else will be much harsher. When Captain Hodges (Lex Barker) shows up with a different point of view, you know trouble is coming, he even starts seducing Scott's wife Norah (Phyllis Kirk). Entertaining, with a lot of action and great color like most of Scott's films of the fifties.

Randolph Scott often shines as typical westerner. Here he plays Captain Potter a perfect example for Christian charity. He even prefers humiliation and danger to reputation of his lovely wife. He is a hero and a saint.Scott never looks unbelievable in his part.Lex Barker, former Tarzan and later superman "Old Shatterhand", plays against his image as arrogant villain. And I think he does it very well.The story is entertaining and there are a lot of other good actors like Henry Hull, Phyllis Kirk and Elisha Cook jr. in it.This really is an enjoyable B-western directed by veteran Andre de Toth.