_**Similar to “Vera Cruz,” but not as good**_ During the midst of the Civil War in 1863, a Texas Ranger (John Payne) and a Union agent (Dennis O'Keefe) team-up for a mission south of the border. Their focus is a town where a government agent had gone missing and the factions supporting Benito Juárez and, secretly, wannabe French-imposed emperor Maximilian. The beautiful Rhonda Fleming is on hand. “The Eagle and the Hawk” (1950) is similar to the later "Vera Cruz" (1954), except that it takes place during the Civil War rather than immediately afterward. While it’s not great like that movie, it’s okay and has its highlights. The main problem is that, after a promising opening, it bogs down in the talky politics & intrigue of the Mexican town. But the Technicolor and locations are to die for and the characters played by Payne and O’Keefe make for an entertaining duo while redhead Rhonda is stunning. The film impressively mixes magnificent location shooting with matte paintings and studio sets. The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in Sedona, Arizona, and Paramount Studios, Hollywood. GRADE: B-/C+

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