
Dark Command
1940 · Movie · NR · 94 min · ★ 6.4 · 95% critics
When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas he finds much to like about the place, especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker. Politics is in the air however. It's just prior to the civil war and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slave-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds himself running against the respected local schoolteacher, William Cantrell. Not is what it seems however. While acting as the upstanding citizen in public, Cantrell is dangerously ambitious and is prepared to do anything to make his mark, and his fortune, on the Territory. When he loses the race for marshal, he forms a group of raiders who run guns into the territory and rob and terrorize settlers throughout the territory. Eventually donning Confederate uniforms, it is left to Seton and the good citizens of Lawrence to face Cantrell and his raiders in one final clash.
Also known as The Dark Command
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Details
- Years
- 1940
- Release date
- 1940-04-15
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.4/10 (59 votes)
Themes
- civil war
- marshal
- kansas, usa
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1941 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Score · 1941 · nominated
Cast & crew

Claire Trevor
as Miss Mary McCloud

John Wayne
as Bob Seton

Walter Pidgeon
as William 'Will' Cantrell

Roy Rogers
as Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud

George 'Gabby' Hayes
as Andrew 'Doc' Grunch

Porter Hall
as Angus McCloud

Marjorie Main
as Mrs. Cantrell / Mrs. Adams

Raymond Walburn
as Judge Buckner

Joe Sawyer
as Bushropp

Helen MacKellar
as Mrs. Hale
Directed by Raoul Walsh