There are two things outstanding about this film.
First, it has exceptional cast for a Western produced by Universal Pictures. Ann Blyth as the female lead, Howard Duff as the male lead, George Brent as Blyth's father, Edgar Buchanan as...well Edgar Buchannan, John McIntire as the bad father of Duff, Chill Wills as...well Chill Wills, Jane Darwell as Blyth's aunt, and Lloyd Bridges as the bad brother of Duff. Really, that's quite a cast.
Second is the scenery. It was filmed in Utah in places such as Kanab Canyon, Paria, and Bryce Canyon. And, at least with the print shown on one of the premium cable channels, the film was crisp and colorful. In fact, it was gorgeous.
Now, back to the cast. Blyth was good here, and it's clear she could ride horses...not that she did all of the riding herself. Duff, whom I mostly remember later as a television actor, was also good here. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't do better in his long career. The sad part was that of George Brent. He's quite a bit older here than his glory days with Bette Davis, and he has little dialog. Sad, really; he was a fine actor.
Now, as to the story. Well, not quite stereotypical, it's about a wild stallion (Black Velvet) who eludes being caught by Duff, but succumbs to being caught (and ridden) by Blythe. And it is a beautiful horse! Duff, meanwhile, is the good son of a bad man and bad family, and -- of course -- falls in love with Blythe.
It's not one of the "great" Westerns. But this is pretty good and worth watching if Westerns attract your attention.
First, it has exceptional cast for a Western produced by Universal Pictures. Ann Blyth as the female lead, Howard Duff as the male lead, George Brent as Blyth's father, Edgar Buchanan as...well Edgar Buchannan, John McIntire as the bad father of Duff, Chill Wills as...well Chill Wills, Jane Darwell as Blyth's aunt, and Lloyd Bridges as the bad brother of Duff. Really, that's quite a cast.
Second is the scenery. It was filmed in Utah in places such as Kanab Canyon, Paria, and Bryce Canyon. And, at least with the print shown on one of the premium cable channels, the film was crisp and colorful. In fact, it was gorgeous.
Now, back to the cast. Blyth was good here, and it's clear she could ride horses...not that she did all of the riding herself. Duff, whom I mostly remember later as a television actor, was also good here. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't do better in his long career. The sad part was that of George Brent. He's quite a bit older here than his glory days with Bette Davis, and he has little dialog. Sad, really; he was a fine actor.
Now, as to the story. Well, not quite stereotypical, it's about a wild stallion (Black Velvet) who eludes being caught by Duff, but succumbs to being caught (and ridden) by Blythe. And it is a beautiful horse! Duff, meanwhile, is the good son of a bad man and bad family, and -- of course -- falls in love with Blythe.
It's not one of the "great" Westerns. But this is pretty good and worth watching if Westerns attract your attention.