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| The Raid (1954) |
| Heflin is a Confederate officer who escapes a Northern prison camp with some of his men. They flee to Canada, where they reorganize and plan to strike the Union from the north, hoping to draw forces away from the main fighting. Heflin disguises himself as a Canadian businessman and goes to the sleepy Vermont town of St. Albans to scout it, taking up residence at a boarding house run by widow Bancroft, with whom his relations become something more than formal. When the time comes for his plan to swing into action, Heflin is stymied by the unexpected arrival of a column of Union cavalry. Hotheaded rebel officer Marvin wants to fight them, and his recklessness endangers the whole mission until Heflin shoots him. The raid is delayed 48 hours, then goes off as planned; the bank is robbed, and the town ransacked and set ablaze. Helfin leaves a note for Bancroft, apologizing and telling her that what he did was for the Confederacy. This interesting action film is based on a real incident from 1864. Heflin was at the peak of his popularity, and he contributes a subtle and effective performance here, taking a character that is ostensibly the story's villain and effectively showing his conflicted loyalties and the difficulties of command. A number of other performances are also arresting. Boone scores as a veteran Union soldier who has lost his arm to the war. Marvin's rambunctious rebel and Bancroft's kindly landlady are similarly effective. Direction by Fregonese is tight and strong, much aided by the somber camerawork.
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