This film begins on a cold, rainy night with two cowboys sitting under a ledge on the side of a hill by a fire trying to stay warm. All of a sudden, they are interrupted by a rain-soaked cowboy by the name of "Ben Stride" (Randolph Scott) asking to share their fire for a little while. They reluctantly agree and offer him some coffee as well. While he drinks a cup, he asks them some general questions for which they become increasingly defensive the more he inquires. In no time a gunfight erupts and next morning he is shown riding out all by himself. A little later on he comes across a mild-mannered man by the name of "John Greer" (Walter Reed) and his wife "Annie Greer" (Gail Russell) frantically trying to pull their wagon out of the mud and he offers to help. Upon hearing that they are headed to California but are temporarily traveling south to the town of Flora Vista he agrees to ride with them along the way. Not long afterward, they are joined by two rather brazen cowboys named "Bill Masters" (Lee Marvin) and "Clete" (Don 'Red' Barry) who Ben has previously had trouble with when he was a sheriff. However, since neither of them are currently suspected of any crime, Ben allows the two of them to ride with them in case they come upon a band of Chiricahua Apache rumored to be in the area. Even so, Ben knows full well that the two of them are clearly up to no good and that any alliance with them will only be of a temporary nature. Now rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this turned out to be a pretty good Western which--from what I am told--had the interest of both John Wayne and Robert Mitchum for the lead role and Randolph Scott was chosen only after John Wayne turned it down due to other commitments. To that extent, Randolph Scott performed in a solid manner but it was Lee Marvin who really stood out. At least, that is my opinion. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this film and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
Review of 7 Men from Now
