Russell Clay is the Waco Kid and George Nelson is Dutch Langford, bounty hunting partners on the trail of three outlaws.
They wind up killing two and capturing the third, one-eyed, wise-cracking Zeke Tyler (Kellen Garner).
Zeke figures the bounty men might set him free if he shares an important piece of information.
One of the dead men is the notorious Benecio Moralez, a bandit with dozens of nicknames and a handsome price on his head.
Well, Waco and Dutch are happy to hear the news. But not so happy that they’re inclined to turn Zeke loose.
Next stop: Oro Lindo, a boom town minus the boom and so poor that the sheriff can’t cough up the money to pay the bounty on Morales’ head until town boss Thaddeus Vincent makes the next deposit from his gold mine.
While there, they meet high-spirited Rosemary O’Rourke, a woman on a mission of her own, to make sure children delivered out West via the Orphan Train are in safe, nurturing homes.
The proves a problem in Oro Lindo. Heck, she can’t even find the children.
Eventually, the truth comes out. Thaddeus Vincent is holding them captive and forcing them to work in his mine.
So Rosemary joins forces with the bounty hunters and a couple of determined town residents — Lita and Caleb Salazar — to secure their freedom.
George Nelson as Dutch Langford, deadly with a six-shooter — or two — in Bite the Dust (2023)
Russell Clay as The Waco Kid, preparing for a prize fight in Bite the Dust (2023)
Review:
When the gunfire has stopped in the opening scene and our heroes dismount, viewers might be excused for suspecting they’ve wandered back into the territory of low-budget Westerns featuring aging and overweight cowboys.
But hold your horses and give this one a chance. It turns out to be a fun ride.
Okay, not every plot point would hold up under intense scrutiny. But there’s lots of clever lines and the filmmakers have tongue firmly planted in cheek for much of the time.
Kellen Garner is a hoot as the small-time bandit constantly getting on the nerves of our heroes. Heather Renee Wake is delightfully quirky as the young lady who proves surprising resourceful once fists start flying.
Speaking of fists, turns out Russell Clay’s character is a retired prize fighter. And in addition to playing the other bounty hunter, George Nelson is credited with creating the story and characters.
Hey, if this duo rides again, I’ll watch.
In fact, many of these cast members had roles in the 2020 Western “Royal’s Revenge,” released on DVD a year later as “Road to Revenge.”
Heather Renee Wake as Rosemary O’Rourke, learning she can wield a pretty wicked shovel in Bite the Dust (2023)
Aaron Ginn-Forsburg as Thaddeus Vincent, the man used to giving orders in the town he runs in Bite the Dust (2023)
Directed by:
Christopher Sheffield
Cast:
Heather Renee Wake … Rosemary O’Rourke
Russell Clay … The Waco Kid
George Nelson … Dutch Langford
Aaron Ginn-Forsburg … Thaddeus Vincent
Ed Venderlee … Sheriff Roy Pearlwood
Kellen Garner … Zeke Tyler
Dale Denton … Deputy Elijah Stone
Joran Bean … Connor Murphy
Maribel Jimenez … Lita Salazar
Caleb Evans … Caleb Salazar
Katie Nelson … Lizzie
Brian Ronalds … Rhett, the referee
Chris McDaniel … Gabe, shopkeeper
Caleb Rock … Sweetie Pete
Runtime: 104 min.
aka:
Bite the Ground
Kellen Garner as Zeke Tyler, an outlaw who finds himself with a Gatling gun in Bite the Dust (2023)
Russell Clay as the Waco Kid and George Nelson as Dutch Langford, proposing a prize fight as a way out of a jam in Bite the Dust (2023)
Memorable lines:
The Waco Kid to Dutch Langford: “Shot a hole clean through his face. I can’t make him out at all. You couldn’t have aimed lower?”
Dutch Langford: “Well, excuse me. It didn’t seem important at the time, when he was trying to kill me.”
Waco Kid, as he and Dutch ride into Oro Lindo: “Somebody forgot to put the boom in boomtown. More like doom town.”
Zeke Tyler, making a pass at Rosemary while still in custody, with his hands tie: “Don’t mind the ropes. I was just practicin’ my career as an escapist. Wouldn’t mind tyin’ you up.”
Thaddeus Vincent: “The truth is like anything else between heaven and hell. It is entirely subject to the whims of those who are in possession of it.”
Maribel Jiminez as Lita Salazar, asking Thaddeus Vincent for an extension on her loan in Bite the Dust (2023)
Caleb Evans as Caleb Salazar, watching The Waco Kid endure a prize fight beating in Bite the Dust (2023)
Zeke Tyler, bragging about how he killed a farmer whose land Vincent wanted: “Popped him right there.” He points to his forehead. “Dumped his ass down the well. The land is yours to dig, boss, but I would not drink the water.”
Lita Salazar: “That’s him. Mr. Vincent.”
Waco: “Looks like a snake on stilts.”
Waco: “Is it a good plan?”
Dutch Langford: “I’d say it’s south of good, but better than dyin’.”
Rosemary O’Rourke, having punched out a bad guy: “Now I know why Waco likes to do that.”
Waco, rushing up: “What did I miss?”
Dutch Langford: “Your cue.”
Waco: “Sorry, people kept tryin’ to kill me.”
Heather Renee Wake as Rosemary O’Rourke, determined to protect the former orphans in Bite the Dust (2023)
Ed Venderless as Sheriff Roy Pearlwood, listening to Rosemary O’Rourke’s concerns about missing orphans in Bite the Dust (2023)
Dale Denton as Deputy Elijah Stone, ready for a showdown in Bite the Dust (2023)
Joran Bean (right) as Connor Murphy, Vincent’s enforcer, with Zeke Tyler (Kellen Garner) in Bite the Dust (2023)
Katie Nelson as Lizzie, the “daughter” Thaddeus Vincent has working in his mine in Bite the Dust (2023)
George Nelson as Dutch Langford, Heather Renee Wake as Rosemary O’Rourke and Russell Clay as The Waco Kid in Bite the Dust (2023)
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A fun western with some historical background ( orphans sent by train to the West for adoption) but mostly a good yarn with action, fisticuffs and a villain, Aaron Ginn- Forsberg who combines civility with menace.