THUNDER OVER THE PLAINS. Warner Bros., 1953. Randolph Scott, Lex Barker, Phyllis Kirk, Charles McGraw, Henry Hull, Elisha Cook Jr. Director: André De Toth.

   Randolph Scott stars in this early 1950s western directed by André De Toth (House of Wax). The plot is as follows: it’s Texas and the year is 1869. The Civil War has ended, but Reconstruction continues apace. Carpetbaggers are taking advantage of the situation, leaving native Texans resentful. It’s up to men like Federal Captain David Porter (Randolph Scott) to keep the peace.

   Not an easy task, given the animosity that Texans have for exploitative Northerners. Some even support an outlaw by the name of Ben Westman (Charles McGraw) who has been active in fighting back against the Reconstructionist military occupation.

   When Westman is wrongfully framed for a murder, Porter takes matters into his own hands, teams up with the rebels, and seeks to bring justice to the state. Filling out the cast are Lex Barker and Elisha Cook Jr., among others. Cook is always enjoyable to see on screen. Here, he portrays a corrupt tax official who has been deliberately raising taxes on the locals.

   There’s nothing technically wrong with Thunder Over the Plains. In fact, it’s a well choreographed and directed western with some great outdoor cinematography. The movie begins and ends with a lot of action. Indeed, there’s no shortage of chases, fistfights, and killings.

   Despite that, however, there is something rather tiring about the whole affair. I know that may sound like a contradiction, but it really isn’t. After a while, the chase scenes all blend together and it feels as if you’re watching a movie on repeat, with the story not going anywhere interesting for a long time.

   Final assessment: an interesting film, but not a particularly compelling one. Scott, though, is a formidable presence here and is leaning into a grittier version of himself. There’s no silly sidekick in this one.