The Proud Rebel is a 1958 American Technicolor Western film directed by Michael Curtiz, with a screenplay by Joseph Petracca and Lillie Hayward that was based on a story by James Edward Grant.

[1][2] It is the story of a widowed Confederate veteran and his mute son who struggle to make a new life among sometimes hostile neighbors in the Midwest.

Despite the implications of the title, the main character in "The Proud Rebel" does not dwell much on his Southern past, but finds his life complicated by sectional prejudice.

The boy was struck mute after witnessing his mother burned to death when Union soldiers set fire to their homestead, and hasn't spoken a word since.

In the street outside Dr. Davis' office, Chandler, (the only name he goes under until later in the film) tells his expert sheepdog, Lance, to clear the road of a flock of sheep being herded through town.

The sheep belong to rancher Harry Burleigh and his sons, Jeb and Tom; trained dogs are extremely valuable and they try to steal it.

A trip to Minnesota for treatment is expensive but Chandler won't accept offers for the valuable dog as David loves the animal.

[10] Its external scenes depicting the U.S.Midwest—a flat and well-vegetated landscape, are a bit jarring to compare to Utah's arid, hilly and mountainous backdrop.

[3] A contemporary review in Variety described the film as a "suspenseful and fast-action post-Civil War yarn" with "characterizations that hold forth most strongly, topped perhaps by the very appealing performance of David Ladd.

While praising the performances, the review also notes that "A viewer might justifiably observe that the tale is spun somewhat unevenly, that it slows down on a few occasions and that the 'happy ending' is telegraphed.

"[12] A review in TV Guide described the film as a "warm-hearted story" with "[b]rilliant performances (especially David Ladd's) and the unusual characterization of de Havilland's hardened, loner widow" and "fine color photography of the Utah landscape.