Along with the 1950 western classic "Broken Arrow", this is one of the best views of history because you get both sides of the story, and there's no doubt that there was treachery from both Apaches and the American military scouting in unsettled areas. The relationship between Charlton Heston and Jack Palance is not a black and white one, and the viewer comes out of this understanding the sides of hatred between them yet a connection that bounds them together.
Loosely based on real life events, Heston is playing a fictional version of a real man, Al Sieber, so the writers were obviously trying to educate as well as entertain. Both the white man and Apache get to tell their side, and even if their methods of warfare were brutal, protecting their land from domination is certainly an understandable motivation, especially for Palance, perfectly cast in one of his best parts before his acting style became wildly unpredictable.
There's also Katy Jurado, hot after "High Noon", fiery but all woman as a half Apache from Heston's past. Mary Sinclair as his main love interest is reminiscent of Maureen O'Hara and Rhonda Fleming with her flaming red hair and no nonsense demeanor. Brian Keith and Milburne Stone are great in supporting roles. Terrifically photographed in that wonderful 50's color, this is a good looking, no nonsense western that tries hard to present the truth where the only villainy comes from desperation, not deeply embedded character.
Loosely based on real life events, Heston is playing a fictional version of a real man, Al Sieber, so the writers were obviously trying to educate as well as entertain. Both the white man and Apache get to tell their side, and even if their methods of warfare were brutal, protecting their land from domination is certainly an understandable motivation, especially for Palance, perfectly cast in one of his best parts before his acting style became wildly unpredictable.
There's also Katy Jurado, hot after "High Noon", fiery but all woman as a half Apache from Heston's past. Mary Sinclair as his main love interest is reminiscent of Maureen O'Hara and Rhonda Fleming with her flaming red hair and no nonsense demeanor. Brian Keith and Milburne Stone are great in supporting roles. Terrifically photographed in that wonderful 50's color, this is a good looking, no nonsense western that tries hard to present the truth where the only villainy comes from desperation, not deeply embedded character.