Texas Red (2021)

Cedric Burnside is Texas Red, a man who was subject of a massive manhunt in rural Mississippi in the winter of 1939-40.

He and good friend The Oklahoma Kid (Herman Jr. Johnson) are suspected in a series of robberies.

So a new constable named Angus (William Shannon Williams) rounds up a posses, finds a guide to point the way to Red’s house and calls the men out.

Instead, a gun battle breaks out. And The Oklahoma Kid fatally wounds a young deputy.

From that point on, Texas Red is on the run from the law, fleeing through the Mississippi swamps and backwoods, occassionally getting a helping hand from other blacks who have heard about his plight.

He’s desperate to avoid detection by anyone. But to most white folks, he’s a dangerous criminal. To the governor, his ability to alude authorities is becoming an embarrassment.

Which simply means the manhunt to round up Texas Red intensifies.

Cedric Burnside as Texas Red. anxiously watching a posse pass overhead in Texas Red (2021)

Herman Jr. Johnson as The Oklahoma Kid, the other black man on the run in Texas Red (2021)

Review:

This film is part of director Travis Mills’ 12 Westerns in 12 Months series, though given the setting and the time period, it barely qualifies as a Western.

That said, it is the most lavish of Mills’ releases from the series to date. And it’s based on a true story about a manhunt that eventually included the FBI and the National Guard.

William Shannon Williams does an excellent job as the bigoted constable who starts all the trouble. And Nick Murphy and Ward Emling are solid as lawman who unsuccessfully try to defuse the situation before the violence starts.

William Shannon Williams as Angus, a constable who initiates the manhunt in Texas Red (2021)

Dorsey R. Carson as Sheriff John Millsaps Johnson of Jefferson County in Texas Red (2021)

Directed by:
Travis Mills

Cast:
Cedric Burnside … Texas Red
Herman Jr. Johnson … The Oklahoma Kid
Anquanizia Hall … Dolly
Nick Murphy … Graham Herring
Ward Emling … Sheriff Cliff Hering
Dorsey R. Carson … Sheriff John Millsaps Johnson
Johnny McPhail … Adams County Sheriff
William Shannon Williams … Angus

Runtime: 83 min.

Ward Emling as Sheriff Cliff Herring, the lawman unsuccessful in keeping a lid on the violence in Texas Red (2021)

Nick Murphy as Graham Herring, the deputy trying to get Texas Red to surrender in Texas Red (2021)

Memorable lines:

Young man: “What’s all that ruckus?”
Constable Angus, watching Texas Red and The Oklahoma Kid ride into town: “Couple bucks. Gettin’ too big for their britches.”

Texas Red, revisitng the club where he was so popular: “Let me tell you something: All this can be gone tomorrow.”

The Oklahoma Kid, on his path of escape: “Figure things might be kinder out West.”
Texas Red: “I don’t think there’s a kind place out there anywhere. For us, that is.”

The Oklahoma Kid: “Maybe it’s time for the Oklahoma Kid to become the Oklahoma man. Why don’t you come with me?”
Texas Red: “I ain’t goin’. It’s as much my state as it is their’s.”

Anquanizia Hall as Dolly, the lover of Texas Red under duress in Texas Red (2021)

Cedric Burnside as Texas Red, parting ways with The Oklahoma Kid in Texas Red (2021)