AllMovie

Despite its Shakespearean title, With Hoops of Steel was a western yarn, with Henry B. Walthall in the leading role. An independent cattleman, Emerson Mead (Walthall) is targeted for elimination by his more powerful competitors. As a consequence, Mead is accused of murdering the son of land baron Colonel Whittaker (Joseph J. Dowling. On the day of his trial, Mead escapes long enough to rescue the brother of his sweetheart Marguerite Delarue (Mary Charleston) from an untimely end. With the weight of public approval on his side, Mead is given time to clear his name, and within what seems to be a few minutes he proves that the "murder victim" is still very much alive. As was often the case, Henry B. Walthall was infinitely better than his material.