Watch Durango Valley Raiders

Durango Valley Raiders is an American Western film that was released in 1938, directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele, Louise Stanley, and Karl Hackett. It tells the story of a group of bandits called the Durango Valley Raiders, who terrorize the citizens of the town of Red Rock. The local law enforcement seems helpless in dealing with the Raiders, and it is up to a lone cowboy, Bob Blake (Bob Steele), to stop them and restore peace to the town.

The movie begins with a bank robbery committed by the Raiders, who manage to get away scot-free. Bob Blake, who happens to be nearby, sees the Raiders fleeing the scene and decides to intervene. He tracks them to their hideout, but is captured and almost killed before being rescued by his horse. He then goes to Red Rock to warn the townspeople about the Raiders, but they do not take him seriously.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to the lovely Ann Whitaker (Louise Stanley), whose father owns the local stagecoach line. Ann is being wooed by the town's banker, Jim Thornton (Karl Hackett), who is secretly working with the Raiders to cover up their tracks. Bob and Ann meet and quickly fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by Thornton's interference.

As the Raiders continue their reign of terror, Bob becomes more determined to stop them. He finds a valuable ally in the form of John Blair, a retired lawman who has a score to settle with the Raiders. Together, they come up with a plan to capture the Raiders and bring them to justice.

The movie's climax is an exciting shootout between the Raiders and the townspeople, with Bob, John, and Ann in the thick of the action. The Raiders are finally defeated, and peace is restored to Red Rock. Bob and Ann are united, but not before some last-minute drama involving Thornton's true motives.

Durango Valley Raiders is a typical Western movie of its time, with all the familiar tropes and characters. Bob Steele is convincing as the heroic cowboy, while Louise Stanley adds a touch of femininity to the otherwise male-dominated cast. Karl Hackett is suitably villainous as the conniving banker, and the rest of the supporting cast performs adequately.

The film's plot is relatively straightforward, with no major surprises or twists. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as fans of Westerns will appreciate the familiar formula. The action scenes are well-done and enjoyable, with plenty of cowboy shootouts and horse-riding stunts.

One notable aspect of the movie is the portrayal of the Raiders. While they are unquestionably the villains of the story, they are also given some depth and complexity. We learn that they are former Confederate soldiers who have turned to banditry out of desperation, and that they have a tragic backstory that has led them down this path. This adds some nuance to the typical black-and-white morality of Western movies, and helps to make the Raiders more than just one-dimensional villains.

Overall, Durango Valley Raiders is an entertaining Western movie that will appeal to fans of the genre. While it may not be the most memorable or groundbreaking film of its time, it is a solid example of the classic Western formula.

Durango Valley Raiders is a 2007 western with a runtime of 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.