Southwest Passage [1954] [DVD]

An up-and-coming entrepreneur decides to ship camels into the American Southwest, but his money-making plans go awry when a bank robber joins the band of travellers. Western, starring Rod Cameron, Joanne Dru and John Ireland.

An unusual aspect of western history lifts this drama out of the rut: it's the experimental use of pack camels with Arab drivers to create a shorter route across the American desert. Rod Cameron is surprisingly effective as the determined camel enthusiast and his story should have been enough in itself. But there's John Ireland and Joanne Dru doing their best with clichéd roles as the sympathetic bank robber on the run and his gal, who join the caravan. Bloodthirsty Indians are on hand to cause further trouble.

Originally seen by American audiences in 3D, the film was shown flat in Britain under the title Camels West.