Konterr
Brilliant and touching
BoardChiri
Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay
Brenda
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Richie-67-485852
Richard Boone can carry a movie and here he is a major treat to behold. His character is course, wise and clear with just about everything making you instantly pay attention to everything he says and does. That's good acting and he pulls it off. Lots of familiar faces in this movie and you get a glimpse of what it was like in the start-up years of America out West. This point of view gives us the raw frontier, Indians, calvary, dust, death and some soap opera thrown-in which I had some trouble with along with the strong points of violence and sexual overtones. It opens right to the point with a scene that everyone can identify with which has an impact and sets the tone for the movie. Not a perfect story being told but it does capture the attention of the viewer all the way to the end. Another nice point of view presented very well is the difference between class room education and real life experience. There is a scene that can be read two different ways with one way being entirely wrong. The point made is that you don't get second chances out here and being wrong is not allowed if you want to survive. This point is drilled into everyone courtesy of Boones character. Good life lesson. I usually recommend eating while watching a movie. Here, a light snack is recommended with a tasty drink. Note: how this remote outpost is in the middle of nowhere but contains unto itself a complete snapshot of all the elements of human nature. Also, be aware that this movie has moral points made but shown by breaking them instead of preventing them which is probably why movie-goers rejected this when it first came out. The movie audience probably said: too much too soon and this movie went into the background. Forward HOOOOO
thesimpsons2222
Joey's comments above are spot on. And you should also notice the visual style of the film: scenes in the fort tend to be in tones of grey or blue, cavalry colours, but most scenes throughout the film have a detail picked out in bright red - clothing, books, drinks,and, finally blood. Compositions are also distinctive: two shots often have one figure closer to the camera, some medium shots have an over-the-shoulder angle. For those who like that kind of thing, there is an interesting Oedipal theme, and the film centres on the rite of passage of the central figure,played by George Hamilton, appropriately vain and self-regarding. Women are sacrificed and marginalised ruthlessly, and there is a further theme about children which I couldn't quite work out.The cavalry/Indians structure is the peg on which a thoughtful narrative has been hung; even the killing scenes avoid the some of current excesses, and there are hints that the Indians have their own culture which the cavalry officers learn to recognise - and exploit. The inferior technology of the Indians is clearly a factor in their defeat.It will be a shocking day when the US Cavalry meet an indigenous population which is tactically and technologically their equal, won't it?
Poseidon-3
The title of this film might lead one to believe that there will be some tension between cavalry and Indians including the suspenseful, psychologically torturous use of drums. It doesn't happen. Instead, after a pretty vivid opening sequence, the audience is treated to an hour of talk, talk, TALK. The script isn't bad, but needed occasional action interludes to keep the threat of the Indians alive. As the film opens, Indians have raped and killed two women and a surviving little girl is taken to an undermanned fort. Here, crusty Boone is trying to beat privileged Hamilton into shape as an officer. Future stars Bronson and especially Chamberlain have little to do. People keep coming into and back to the fort to report on action that has happened OFFscreen! When the soldiers FINALLY are shown going out for battle, it's an endless array of shots of them trekking through the desert. Eventually there is a fairly tense skirmish, but the Indians are shown mostly from a distance and there is limited drama in the presentation of the battle. And never any drums... Boone gives a decent performance as a weary, haggard, embittered officer. Hamilton is miscast and less effective. The actor commits a cardinal sin as he's introducing himself to Boone. He refers to himself as a member of the "calvary", not cavalry!! Amazing that this wasn't caught in the editing... Patten turns up as the fiancé of a fellow officer who has a history with Hamilton. She's given very little to do but look decorative. Marihugh, so effective in "The Last Voyage", says nary a word and was "retired" shortly after this film. Eddy joins the long list of performers who started with "and introducing" before their name and were scarcely seen (onscreen) again. Long-term "As the World Turns" fans will appreciate seeing Douglas (though he rarely lets the light hit his eyes and looks like a raccoon half the time!) Anyway...a few good scenes, but an ill-advised title.
Bobby G.
It is interesting to see a young George Hamilton and a young Richard Chamberlin and how they looked and acted in their early years. In fact, it is quite pathetic. Richard Boone plays the post commander whom, you learn at the END as to why an old man is still a captain. Really, it was droll movie. Slow plot development, if any and a meaningless conclusion. I did like the color except for one scene where Hamilton opens the door and sees an obviously painted scene in daylight and then exits into the nightlight on the exterior.
