Hangman's Knot

1952
Approved
1h 21m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

1.8K

YOUR RATING

A Confederate Major and his troops are falsely led to believe the Civil War is not over, and become wanted men after they attack a Union Army wagon train in Nevada.

Play trailer2:19

1 Video

43 Photos

Western

A Confederate Major and his troops are falsely led to believe the Civil War is not over, and become wanted men after they attack a Union Army wagon train in Nevada.A Confederate Major and his troops are falsely led to believe the Civil War is not over, and become wanted men after they attack a Union Army wagon train in Nevada.A Confederate Major and his troops are falsely led to believe the Civil War is not over, and become wanted men after they attack a Union Army wagon train in Nevada.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

1.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
After the scene of Lee Marvin holding Donna Reed against the wall, she was so terrified by him that she did not let him come near her on and off the set.

Goofs
When the Confederates ambush the Union gold shipment, they use dynamite. The film is set in 1865, but dynamite was not patented by its inventor, Alfred Nobel, until 1867. Dynamite was not in use during the American Civil War by either side.

Quotes
Lee Kemper: You got 'em confused.
[Lee laughs]
Lee Kemper: They'll a-find out though and get their hands on it, there ain't gonna be nobody left alive in here to tell. You got any plans?
Major Matt Stewart: Mm-hmm. We go out shooting.

Connections
Referenced in Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (2000)

User reviews35

Review

Featured review

7/10

Worthwhile early 50's Western with Randolph Scott, Lee Marvin and Donna Reed

Released in 1952, "Hangman's Knot" tells the story of a small troop of Confederates led by Major Stewart (Randolph Scott) on special assignment in the West to apprehend gold for the Confederacy. After ambushing a Union stagecoach full of gold they find out the war has been over for a month. Desperate, they hitch a ride with stagecoach to get out of the area, but are eventually forced to hold up at a way station. Lee Marvin and Claude Jarman Jr. co-star as two of Stewart's men while Donna Reed plays a Union nurse and Richard Denning her traveling companion.

"Hangman's Knot" lacks those roll-your-eyes elements typical of too many older Westerns and benefits from a confined-location plot that's conducive to characterization. Many of the characters are corrupted by the bloody four-year war or just plain greed while some try to maintain a sense of honor amidst the madness. Despite the many deaths, the climax leaves you with a good feeling. Contrived or not, it's inspiring.

The film runs 81 minutes and was shot in Alabama Hills, Lone Pine and Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California.

GRADE: B