Idaho Red Review: A Dusty Ride for Western Fans

Idaho Red is definitely one for the Western completists, or maybe if you're just really into seeing how these old B-pictures pieced together a story. If you enjoy a straightforward tale of good guys, bad guys, and a horse named "Flash," you might find something here. But if you’re looking for high-drama, nuanced characters, or really anything that feels modern, you'll probably just scratch your head. It’s a dusty ride, for sure. 🤠

The movie kicks off with this whole "Red" character, played by Tom Tyler, who’s just trying to live his life. But then he gets framed for a robbery. It’s a setup we’ve seen a million times, right?

Still, there's something kind of earnest about Tyler's performance. He really sells the whole wronged man vibe without overdoing it.

His horse, Flash, gets a surprising amount of screen time. Flash is probably the most consistent character, actually. He always seems to know exactly what Red needs. What a good boy. 🐴

There’s a scene where Red tries to escape, and he just barely gets away. The camera work here is pretty basic, but you can feel the tension, even if it's a bit clunky. It reminds you how simple these films often were.

Lew Meehan plays one of the villains, and he’s just so obviously bad. No real shades of gray there. He sneers a lot. It works for what it is, I guess.

Patricia Caron is the female lead, and her role is mostly to look worried or to be rescued. There’s a moment where she almost gets caught in a trap, and her scream feels very, um, of the era. You know the one. 😬

Frankie Darro pops up as a kid who helps Red. He’s got this pluckiness that stands out. When he first meets Red, there's a quick shot of him looking really skeptical. It’s a nice touch that makes him feel a little more real.

The whole pacing of the film, it’s just slow. Even for a Western. There are long stretches of riding. So much riding. I kept wondering if they just needed to fill time. ⏱️

One thing that stuck out was the fight choreography. It’s pretty rudimentary. A lot of swinging and missing, then someone falls down. But then, a few times, a punch actually lands with a satisfying thud. Those moments are rare, but they hit.

There's this part where Red is hiding, and the bad guys are searching. The camera focuses on a really dusty boot for a long second. I don’t know why, but it made me chuckle. Like, "Yep, that's a dusty boot in a dusty Western."

The dialogue is exactly what you'd expect. "You ain't gettin' away with this, Red!" or "We'll show 'em who's boss!" It’s charming in its predictability, almost.

Barney Furey, as the main villain, does his job. He’s menacing enough. But you never really believe he's going to win. The good guy always wins, especially in these pictures.

The ending wraps everything up very neatly. Maybe a little too neatly. All the loose ends are tied in a bow. No lingering questions. It’s kind of refreshing, actually, after all the ambiguous endings we get these days.

I remember thinking during one of the chase scenes, that horse really is fast. Flash is the real star here. Honestly, the way he gallops across the screen, it's pretty impressive for the budget.

The soundtrack is what you’d expect. Lots of heroic fanfares and dramatic strings. It does its job, but it doesn't stick with you.

Overall, it’s a quick watch if you're into these old Westerns. It doesn't break new ground. But it gets the job done. It's a snapshot of a different time in filmmaking. And sometimes, that's enough.

Didja Notice? 🤔

• The camera lingers on Flash's reactions sometimes, like he's about to deliver a monologue.
• A lot of "meanwhile, back at the ranch" transitions, even without a voiceover.
• That one prop gun that looks suspiciously like a toy.
• The way everyone just accepts Red's innocence by the end, no real questions asked.
• The main bad guy's hat never falls off, no matter how much he gets knocked around.