Thunder Pass is directed by Frank McDonald and collectively written by Tom Hubbard, Fred Eggers and George Van Marter. It stars Dane Clark, Dorothy Patrick, Andy Devine, Raymond Burr and John Carradine. Music is by Edward J. Kay and cinematography by John Martin.
Thunder Pass is based upon an incident when the mighty Kiowa and Comanche Indian Nations, traditional enemies, joined forces in one tremendous effort to remove the white man from the land...
Not a great deal to write home about here, it's a solid black and white Oater that follows a safe formula. Dane Clark plays Capt. Dave Stone who along with his small Cavalry unit escorts an assorted band of civilians through the dangerous Thunder Pass territory of the title. The group dynamic is of course troublesome, more so when Carradine's viper in the nest joins the ranks, and the Indian threat builds to a crescendo at the finale with an extended shoot-out that's resplendent with stunts galore as the bodies pile up. Cast are adequate, the musical score a chest pumper and the location backdrop (Bronson Canyon/Apple Valley) rugged and ripe for backs to the wall heroics.
No surprises here but enjoyable fare for the B Western fan. 6/10
