"Bend of the River"
Movie Review

Reviewed by: David Ferrier

1952:  Color; Directed by Anthony Mann.  James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Julia Adams, Rock Hudson, Lori Nelson, Jay C. Flippen, Howard Petrie, Chubby Johnson, Stepin Fetchit, Frank Ferguson, Frank Chase, Royal Dano, Jack Lambert, Henry (Harry) Morgan, Frances Bavier, Lilian Randolph, George Taylor, Britt Wood, Cliff Lyons, Gregg Barton.

    This lavish, big screen, beautifully photographed psychological Western has wagon guide Glyn McLyntock (Stewart) leading a group of farmers to Oregon.  Stewart is a man with an evil past (he was a Missouri Border Raider), trying to turn his life around by doing good works for others.  When he meets up with roguish ally Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy), the two join forces to lead the settlers through territory wherein Indians raid and various crooks forge various schemes of wickedness.

    However, this ally -- who also has a wicked past -- does not reform.  He betrays his friends by stealing their supplies and wreaking acts of violence upon them.  Stewart steps in to do what's right, ultimately winning two battles...........................