If I were giving this movie a percentage entertainment rating, I would plumb for 75%. The last half of the film is terrific, but the first half is somewhat slow. Just about all the action takes place after the film has been running for around 40 minutes. In the meantime, we are treated to Randolph Scott and Kay Francis who simply don't measure up to Brian Donlevy, George Bancroft, Broderick Crawford and Stu Erwin or even Andy Devine and Frank Albertson. I'm not saying that Scott and Francis give below par performances but simply that their roles are not as interesting or as well-written. Some of their dialogue could be considerably shortened for a starter. When the action finally occurs, it's well worth the wait. Crowds of extras are effectively deployed and money is obviously no object. I'd cite some of my favorite scenes if other reviewers had not already done so. Well, just one! You'll never forget the scene in which the mob breaks into the prison and finds the Daltons waiting for them!
Review of When the Daltons Rode
