The Bushwhackers (1952)

My Review

“The Bushwhackers” is a western film about a war-weary Civil War veteran who heads west to live a peaceful life. However, complications arise as he becomes embroiled in a local conflict while passing through a Missouri town. Director Rod Amateau expertly put together a well-paced and engrossing motion picture in his feature film debut. He co-wrote the intelligent script with Tom Gries.

The cast includes John Ireland in the lead role as the Southern vet who frequently quoted Bible verses. His co-stars include Dorothy Malone, Wayne Morris, Lawrence Tierney, Lon Chaney Jr., Myrna Dell, Frank Marlowe, Charles Trowbridge, and Jack Elam. The watchable horse opera “The Bushwhackers” was an independent production from Jack Broder Productions and Realert Pictures.

John Ireland and Dorothy Malone starred in four movies together: “The Bushwhackers” (1952), “Security Risk” (1954), “The Fast and the Furious” (1955), and “Carnal Circuit” (1969).