JohnHowardReid A forceful western set against the background of the American-Mexican war, this is most certainly a novel approach to the usual cowboys and Indians formula.It's well acted too and features some very convincing performances from the likes of Jim Davis, Lee Van Cleef, Faron Young and Marty Robbins.Although Arleen Whelan is prominently featured in the movie's credits and in all its advertising, her role is both small and unimportant. This is a men's picture and just about all the players turn out to be either heroes or baddies.Allegedly based on true history, the somewhat bloodthirsty plot is crowded with action -- perhaps a bit too much action at the expense of exposition?By the humble standards of the Independent Western, Gannaway's direction is remarkably speedy and never less than competent. He makes very good use of his real locations.

Michael Morrison Never having heard of producer-director Albert C. Gannaway, I wasn't sure what to expect, even though I am a long-time fan of Jim Davis.In addition, I had never seen Faron Young in a movie, either, and again had no idea what to expect.Faron Young, whom I remember from my childhood as a singer, turns out to be one good action hero, an excellent cowboy movie star.Director Gannaway was an absolute master of camera placement.So I was not only surprised, I was exceedingly pleased by what I saw in "Raiders of Old California."The script has some flaws. I never heard of Comanches in California, but except for the title, California doesn't seem to have anything to do with this. It seems, except for the title, to be in Texas and maybe Arizona. "Seems" because of a discussion about the boundaries of the land in question.But the story moves otherwise beautifully, with superb action, highly professional stunts, and plenty of them, and, again, lots of action, with Faron Young playing his part as if he had made a hundred movies.Harry Lauter gets one of his best roles, and plays it perfectly. He was an actor! And deserved more and bigger roles.Jim Davis has never been more evil. Another truly great actor.Douglas Fowley gives what must be his most unusual performance, as a crusty desert-rat kind of sheriff. Another truly great actor, he more often played a villain, and usually a city slicker, but his characterization here is just eye-popping.Lee Van Cleef also gives an excellent performance as a nasty character, and his eventual switch to hero roles was gratifying to his fans, and impressive to his audience. He was paid, according to reports, with satchels and briefcases full of money to make a series of Italian westerns, and he earned every penny.Everything -- except for the occasional script and/or title flaw -- about "Raiders" is excellent. For a very little known western, it is more than excellent, and I highly recommend you give it a look. There is a first-quality print available at YouTube, where I saw it. I hope you like and admire it as much as I do.

bkoganbing Jim Davis is star and protagonist of Raiders Of Old California, a western from the last days of Republic Pictures. Davis is an army captain who uses the Mexican War and the uniform to steal himself a Spanish land grant from the previous owner Lawrence Dobkin who after a murder attempt by Davis henchman Lee Van Cleef on his life, retires and becomes a friar.It's been previously pointed out the disparity in times for a film set in the post Mexican War years, with Davis, Van Cleef etc. wearing Civil War era uniforms and carrying even later weaponry. Herbert J. Yates was not much for authenticity and research.Faron Young and Marty Robbins from the Grand Ole Opry are a good guy and a bad guy in this film. It was getting a little too late for country and western stars to become western stars on the big screen. Their time to become another Gene Autry had passed.Those who are thespians do a good job with their roles. But Raiders Of Old California is a subpar western.

FightingWesterner Former Cavalry officer Jim Davis and fellow heavies Lee Van Cleef and Marty Robbins take control of a huge parcel of land following the Mexican American War, pushing the Mexican peasant farmers off the property given them by it's former owner, a General in the Mexican Army.Raiders Of Old California looks a bit cheap but it's so hard-boiled and action packed that the low-budget doesn't hurt it all that much, though I wish country stars Robbins and Faron Young could have strummed and sang a few tunes.Speaking of Young, he's pretty good as Davis' nemesis, a justice seeking U.S. Marshall. If he had been fifteen years older he could have been an excellent Saturday matinée western star.Lee Van Cleef too has a pretty meaty role as Davis' number one henchman. Here he's just as mean, cold, and cruel as he is in later performances. This is essential viewing for Van Cleef fans.