Ambush at Cimarron Pass

The 1958 American Western film, directed by Jodie Copelan, is set in 1867 in Apache territory. Sergeant Matt Blake (Scott Brady) leads a cavalry unit escorting prisoner Corbin (Baynes Barron), a gunrunner who attempted to sell rifles to the Apaches. Along the way, they encounter a group of former Confederate soldiers led by Captain Sam Prescott (Frank Gerstle), including the hot-headed young Keith Williams (Clint Eastwood), who harbors resentment towards Northerners. The Apaches orchestrate a distraction by releasing white woman Teresa Santos (Margia Dean), allowing them to steal the group's horses. Stranded, the combined group decides to proceed on foot through Cimarron Pass, facing continuous Apache attacks. Internal tensions rise as Judge Stanfield (Irving Bacon) suggests trading the rifles for horses, but Blake refuses, believing the weapons are their only defense. Stanfield incites Keith to mutiny, but after a failed attempt, Keith begins to respect Blake's leadership. In a pivotal moment, Stanfield frees Corbin to negotiate with the Apaches, but Corbin betrays and kills him. The film delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and survival under constant threat. It is the only feature film directed by Copelan, previously a film editor, and is notable for being one of Clint Eastwood's earliest roles, which he later criticized.