The only existing copy of this rare example of an early John Ford western is missing approximately it's first seven minutes. The film was long believed lost until a copy was discovered on the east coast of America. Incredibly, according to the commentary on the retour de flamme DVD, the guy who found it coated the film in lacquer, thus hastening it's decomposition, and took it upon himself to cut the first seven minutes to make the film more enjoyable.
The film itself shows that Ford was already comfortable with his craft, even though the story itself is no great shakes. Nevertheless, a ninety-year-old film, whether made by one of the recognised geniuses of the art or a name long forgotten, is always worth a look. One name that is forgotten, by the way, is that of this film's leading man Pete Morrison. A veteran of more than 140 films, his career had dwindled to small or uncredited parts by the time he made his last film in 1935 at the age of 45.
The film itself shows that Ford was already comfortable with his craft, even though the story itself is no great shakes. Nevertheless, a ninety-year-old film, whether made by one of the recognised geniuses of the art or a name long forgotten, is always worth a look. One name that is forgotten, by the way, is that of this film's leading man Pete Morrison. A veteran of more than 140 films, his career had dwindled to small or uncredited parts by the time he made his last film in 1935 at the age of 45.