Quick Summary
In the Western “Siege at Red River”, a Confederate agent steals a prototype Gatling gun, and the picture features Van Johnson in the lead role. Yet the effort to smuggle the weapon across enemy territory proves considerably more arduous than the theft itself.
About This Program ✦
Siege at Red River is a programme presented as a movie, firmly placed within the Western genre. The title hints at a clash set along a river, and the work is listed simply as a programme rather than a series or miniseries. It is presented as a standalone feature rather than an episodic series. The storyline centres on a Confederate operative who succeeds in stealing a prototype Gatling gun. After securing the weapon, he must move it across terrain dominated by enemy forces. The act of transporting such advanced artillery proves far more arduous than the initial theft, as the difficulty is heightened by the hostile environment. The film concentrates on the logistical challenges inherent in smuggling a powerful gun through hostile territory. It underscores the tension between the agent’s determination to deliver the weapon and the constant threat posed by the opposing side, creating a scenario where each step forward is fraught with risk. Every decision carries the risk of losing the valuable weapon to the opposition. The production features Van Johnson in a leading role, adding a familiar face to the Western setting. Johnson’s performance aligns with the archetypal hero of frontier cinema, reinforcing the Western atmosphere and tying the narrative to the classic style associated with mid‑century American frontier stories.
Siege at Red River broadcasts on Film4 +1 at 1:50pm, Monday, 26 January 2026. (Subtitles)


