The Civil War has just ended and the Union army is occupying the South. Part of that includes military governors and local officials which would remain there until each state did what they needed to do to gain readmission to the USA. When the story begins, Major Drango (Jeff Chandler) has just been appointed to run one of these once Confederate districts...and he soon finds the locals incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to govern. The locals are bitter and proud and stubborn. In one case, a local needs a trial...but his 'friends and neighbors' decide to just hang the guy and ignore the law as well as Drango's authority. But this isn't the end to the vigilanteeism and death. Can things possibly improve or is Drango on a fool's errand?
Apart from two minor quibbles (no one sounds the least bit like Southerners and there are no black people in the film...which is odd), this is an excellent story about hate and reunification. Jeff Chandler is at his best here and the script really works well. A unique and terrific film.
Apart from two minor quibbles (no one sounds the least bit like Southerners and there are no black people in the film...which is odd), this is an excellent story about hate and reunification. Jeff Chandler is at his best here and the script really works well. A unique and terrific film.