The Gun That Won the West (1955)

In the late 1880s, Colonel Carrington and his command are assigned the job of constructing a chain of forts in the Sious Indian territory- of Wyoming. Carrington recruits former cavalry ... See full summary »

Director:

William Castle

Writer:

Robert E. Kent (story)

Stars:

Dennis Morgan, Paula Raymond, Richard Denning

Cast

Cast overview:
Dennis Morgan	...	Jim Bridger
Paula Raymond	...	Mrs. Max Gaines
Richard Denning	...	'Dakota' Jack Gaines
Chris O'Brien	...	Sgt. Timothy Carnahan
Robert Bice	...	Chief Red Cloud
Michael Morgan	...	Afraid of Horses
Roy Gordon	...	Colonel Carrington
Howard Wright	...	General Pope

Storyline

In the late 1880s, Colonel Carrington and his command are assigned the job of constructing a chain of forts in the Sious Indian territory- of Wyoming. Carrington recruits former cavalry scouts Jim Bridger and "Dakota Jack" Gaines to lead the project. Bridger and Gaines are friendly with Sioux chief Red Cloud, and they feel a peace treaty with the Indians can be made. If an Indian-war breaks out, the cavalry is depending on getting a new type of Springfield rifle. Bridger, Gaines and Gaines wife, Maxine, arrive at the fort for the conference. Gaines;, in a drunken fit, tries to intimidate the Indians unto signing a treaty. Chied Red Fox threatens war if his territory is invaded by any troops building forts.

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Plot Keywords:

fort | dakota | 1880s | troop | colonel | 

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Taglines:

When a new kind of weapon wrote history in the Old West!

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Genres:

Adventure | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Conquista do Oeste

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clover Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The Indian teepees are clearly made of canvas, with regular tent-like tie straps hanging beside the doorways.

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Connections

Referenced in Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)

User Reviews

Slow moving but OK account of Red Cloud's War 1866-68

Despite the summary above, this events that this movie depicts happened during Red Cloud's War happened in 1866- 1868 not the late 1880s. Also, the Secretary of War depicted in the movie, Edwin Stanton left office in 1868. The introduction of the Springfield rifle helped the Army win some battles. Peace came after a change of policy that lead to the Army's abandonment of the Powder River Country and its forts along the Bozemann trail. Settlers were channeled to the Transcontinental Railroad then nearing completion. It's route ran farther south.

Red Cloud was the only major Indian leader who really won a war against the US Army. The peace treaty did not last long thanks to white treachery, greed for gold, Custer's thirst for glory, etc.