Bend of the River - BLU-RAY

With $2 million in stolen Union bullion burning a hole in his saddlebags, a Confederate officer (Joel McCrea) leads his men into a Mexican border town, looking to purchase needed munitions. Considering the assorted local desperados who're eyeing their loot, they might have been better off taking their chances with the pursuing Yankees. Leather-slapping actioner co-stars Yvonne de Carlo, Pedro Armendáriz. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles English; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.

Between 1951 and 1952, director Byron Haskin (The War of the Worlds) and star Edmond O'Brien (Silver City) collaborated for three westerns. Edmond O'Brien plays Jim Vesser, a former U.S. Cavalry Officer, now in charge of getting the Denver and Rio Grande tracks across the Rockies first to secure a right-of-way. Standing in his way is the less scrupulous and more ruthless McCabe (Sterling Hayden, the Killing) who's trying to lay his Canyon City and San Juan tracks first. The conflict between the two men turns into guerilla warfare between the two outfits. The excellent cast includes Dean Jagger as General William J. Palmer, Vesser's former commanding officer and Lyle Bettger as Johnny Buff, McCabe's slimy chief gunman.

From the great Walter Hill (Johnny Handsome) Jesse James and his gang of outlaws ride again in this extraordinary western that pulsates with hard-driving action and electrifying drama. Four sets of actor brothers David Carradine, Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine; James Keach and Stacy Keach; Randy Quaid and Dennis Quaid; Christopher Guest and Nicholas Guest each depict real-life siblings in this emotionally charged portrayal of the Old West's legendary bandits. The notorious James-Younger gang is the most famous group of outlaws in the country, robbing banks, trains and stagecoaches with a sense of daring that makes them folk heroes throughout the land. But when the mighty Pinkerton detective agency swears to track them down, these criminals must face an awesome enemy that will stop at nothing to see them behind bars or dead! Only through the strength of their loyalty and blood ties can the outlaws hope to survive the brutal pursuits, unexpected betrayals and blistering showdowns that mark the end of their dangerous ride.