AllMovie

Oregon Passage proves that even out west, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. John Ericson plays idealistic young Cavalry lieutenant Niles Ord, who hopes to peacefully capture renegade Shoshone chief Black Eagle (H. M. Wynant). Ord is convinced that his knowledge and understanding of Shoshone traditions and battle strategies will enable him to complete his mission without bloodshed. Alas, Ord's commanding officer Roland Dane (Edward Platt) is thoroughly and belligerantly ignorant of the ways of the Indian, and it is his pigheadedness that results in tragedy. Though relatively light in the action department, Oregon Passage succeeds by virtue of its avoidance of cliches.