The Outriders (1950)

In the tumultuous year of 1865, amidst the chaos of the Civil War, three confederate soldiers - Will Owen, Jesse Wallace, and Clint Priest - find themselves escaping the confines of Camp Benton, a Union prison camp located in Missouri. These contrasting personalities, the drifter from Texas, the ruthless southern gentleman, and the weary elder soldier, form a bond of unlikely friendship borne out of adversity. They abandon their initial intentions of rejoining their regiments, instead setting their sights on carving a path towards civilian life. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with the rogue confederate officer Keeley, who thrusts upon them a daunting war mission. He reveals a scheme involving a covert shipment of $1 million in gold, tucked away within the personal possessions of the affluent Don Antonio Chaves, travelling from Santa Fe to St. Louis. Keen on using the gold to fund the confederate war offensive, Keeley coerces the trio to infiltrate Don Antonio's caravan, leading him and his riches into an elaborate ambush. Despite their apprehensions and moral dilemmas, particularly Will's discomfort with the raiders' ruthless tactics, they reluctantly agree under the looming threat of death. In a twist of fate, they rescue the caravan from an Apache attack and are consequently invited to join them as outriders. Will's loyalty to his mission and his newfound comrades is challenged as he finds himself entwined with the caravan passengers, notably the captivating war widow Jen Gort and her tenacious young brother-in-law, Roy. As they advance towards the ambush point at Cow Creek, the tension escalates, and loyalties blur. Will's growing relationships and emerging doubts threaten to unravel their mission, setting the stage for an epic climax in this thrilling Civil War saga.

The Outriders is a western movie featuring Joel McCrea and directed by Roy Rowland.

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