The Raid (1954)
Available on all-region DVD

Synopsis: This little-known American Civil War drama, about a group of escaped Confederate soldiers who lay vengeful siege to a town near the Canadian border, has much to commend it: a tight construction, bursts of action, strong characters and a great cast that includes Van Heflin, Lee Marvin, Richard Boone, Peter Graves and Anne Bancroft.

The script by The Big Heat's Sydney Boehm plays like an allegory of a wider conflict, while Hugo Fregonese — an Argentinian director who deserved greater public recognition — keeps the tension bubbling in the manner of High Noon.

Cast: Van Heflin, Lee Marvin
Runtime: 82 min