Nice example of the Cavalry and Indians from the sixties, it is full of action, thrills, emotion and good characterization. It is set during the Sioux war in which the third US cavalry regiment under command of the stiff and egoistic General Frederick: Andrew Duggan, is recruiting new soldiers for the upcoming battle against Indians. Captain Harrod, Tom Tryon, is in charge of the naive troops. He is also in love with Lou Woodard, Senta Berger, who equally is in love with a frontier scout, Sol Rogers : Harve Pesnell, as she claims to be attracted to both suitors. Rogers exudes the quiet authority and natural casual humor that makes one instantly identify with him . Both rivals go into conflict that often times finishing into brawls and fist fights. As both of whom battle each other for the same woman.
Good Western , one of the best of the 60s , with plenty of noisy action, colour, military parades, impressive soldier charges, and firm characterization . This is a tale about Cavalry as a master rather than about individual people .Stars the tough Tom Tryon well accompanied by the gorgeous Senta Berger and the sympathetic Harve Pesnell. There are well-grafted support cast with interesting portrayals from the rugged James Caan as a garrulous Irishman , the ruthless and proud General Andrew Duggan , Slim Pickens who gives a magnetically sincere acting , Peter Breck, Wayne Rogers, Claudio Brook, Jeanne Cooper, Walter Scott , Michael Forest, and Michael Anderson Jr as a very young private , among others .
Brilliant and colorful cinematography by expert veteran James Wong Howe. Rousing and gutsy musical score by the Italian Riz Ortalani, including enjoyable leitmoti. Screenplay by prestigious Sam Peckinpah, Sam not only wrote the original script but he partially directed but he was subsequently replaced by Laven. Sam directed the best Westerns of the sixties such as Wild Bunch , Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia, Ride the high county, Deadly companions , Ballad of Cable Hogue and Major Dundee that bears remarkable resemblance to this one, in fact , Peckinpah used at least 3 actors as Senta Berger, Slim Pickens, Michael Anderson and both of them were shot around the same time. Lavishly produced by Jules V Levy, Arthur Gardner, Arnol Laven. When they were discharged from wwII resolved that they would start their own production company, the first was a Thriller titled Without warning. In the decades since they have produced dozens of additional features and several Tv series. As Arnold Laven has produced or directed a lot of Tv films such as Rifle man, Law of the Plainsman, Detectives , The big valley, A Team, Hunter, Mike Hammer, Hill street blues, Chips, Back to the planet of the apes, Alfred Hitchcock presents, Dan August , Dog and cat. Laven also directed some movies such as Vice squad, The rack and this Glory guys.
