A good film rendering of John Brown's misguided crusade against slavery. Raymond Massey gives a stellar performance as usual, his second portrayal of Brown (he also played the role in Sante Fe Trail starring Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan.) Jeffrey Hunter does a decent job as Brown's ever loyal son, Owen, who supports his father over the objections of the woman he loves (a bit overplayed by Debra Paget) until the end when he leaves him to his fate. Larry Pennell portrays conflicted son Oliver who eventually joins up for good to avenge his brother's death. Dennis Weaver gives a decent performance as the emotionally weak son John although it's a small role. The shootout at the arsenal in Harper's Ferry is brief and the trial is dramatically filmed with shadows on the wall showing rain running down the windows and thunder sounding at the reading of the verdict after Brown's impassioned speech. After Owen's return with a last ditch effort to save dear old dad, John Brown bravely mounts the gallows as the music swells to a crescendo. All in all, a dated but decent movie about a misguided fanatic who saw what was coming for this country.