The Fighting Trooper: A dusty, honest slice of old-school justice

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for grainy, black-and-white westerns where everyone wears a hat that looks two sizes too big, sure. It is not exactly high art, but it moves faster than you think.

People who need complex character arcs or modern pacing will probably hate it. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is—a straightforward, dusty chase flick.

The whole thing starts with a dead Mountie and a very pointed note. Trooper Burke, played by Kermit Maynard, isn't the type to sit around and wait for paperwork to clear. He just jumps straight into the deep end, which means getting cozy with the gang of the man he’s supposed to arrest.

There is a scene where Burke saves LaFarge's life, and honestly, the stunt work is… well, it is what it is. It looks like they’re dancing more than fighting, but there is a raw energy to it that you just don't get in CGI-heavy films today. You can see the dust kicking up, and I’m pretty sure I saw a horse trip over its own shadow in the background.

Odd observations:

• Rocky the Horse deserves a better agent.
• The dialogue is so stiff you could use it to build a log cabin.
• Every time someone pulls a gun, they do this little theatrical flourish that makes me giggle.

It’s funny, I keep comparing the feeling of these old-school chases to Black Beauty in terms of just how much screen time the animals get. It adds a weird, grounded layer to the whole affair. The horses are clearly the best actors in the room.

The twist—that the guy he’s hunting is actually innocent—is about as shocking as a rainy day in Seattle. Still, watching Burke realize he’s been chasing the wrong lead is strangely satisfying. It’s a classic trope for a reason, right?

Sometimes the movie lingers on a shot of the horizon for about ten seconds too long. I found myself checking my watch, but then suddenly there’s a stray goat wandering into the frame. It’s those little, messy accidents that make me like these old films more than the polished stuff coming out of studios now.

If you want to kill an hour without thinking too hard about the state of the world, this is a decent bet. It’s got that weird, dusty 1930s charm that’s hard to replicate. Just don't expect it to change your life. 🤠