The Traven Brothers’ film, The Shadow Riders, comes from a Louis L'Amour novel and features a script by Jim Byrnes, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. It includes performances from Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Katharine Ross, Dominique Dunne, Ben Johnson, and Geoffrey Lewis; the musical score is composed by Jerrold Immel, with cinematography by Jack Whitman. This CBS television production presents Selleck as Mac Traven and Elliott as Dal Traven, brothers who were on opposing sides during the Civil War but maintain a strong bond. After the war’s conclusion, they reunite and travel to their family home, where their parents inform them that their sisters and Dal's girlfriend, Kate (Ross), have been taken by former Confederate soldiers. The men then begin searching for those who were kidnapped. The narrative and production elements are quite conventional. It has a familiar feel but is surprisingly lacking in both violence and romantic content, with some predictable lines of dialogue, an occasionally inappropriate musical score that doesn’t match the mood, and unnecessary scenes to pad out the runtime. Despite these shortcomings, it's an inoffensive movie, offering pleasant company from the two lead actors, while Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. also provide a positive presence. The outdoor scenery is nicely captured, creating a sense of openness, and overall, it’s an acceptable way to spend time for those who enjoy Westerns but aren’t hoping for something rare or exceptional. It earns a rating of 6/10.

Source on TMDB