In 1864, due to frequent Apache raids from Mexico into the U.S., a Union officer decides to illegally cross the border and destroy the Apache, using a mixed army of Union troops, Confederate... Read allIn 1864, due to frequent Apache raids from Mexico into the U.S., a Union officer decides to illegally cross the border and destroy the Apache, using a mixed army of Union troops, Confederate POWs, civilian mercenaries, and scouts.In 1864, due to frequent Apache raids from Mexico into the U.S., a Union officer decides to illegally cross the border and destroy the Apache, using a mixed army of Union troops, Confederate POWs, civilian mercenaries, and scouts.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRichard Harris and Charlton Heston did not get along during filming. Harris described Heston as "being so square that he must have fallen from a cubic moon."
- GoofsIn the final battle, the French lancers signal their charge with an American bugle call.
- Quotes
Maj. Amos Dundee: Name?
Rev. Dahlstrom: Dahlstrom. Any man who has a just cause should travel with the word of God.
Maj. Amos Dundee: With all due respect, God has nothing to do with it. I intend to smite the wicked, not save the Heathen.
Rev. Dahlstrom: Seventeen years ago I married John and Mary Rostes. Those who destroyeth my flock, shall so be destroyed.
Maj. Amos Dundee: [smiles] Reverend.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue:
1864 JOURNAL 1865
Foreward
In the territory of New Mexico, toward the end of the Civil War, an Indian Sierra Charriba, and his 47 Apache warriors raided, sacked, and looted an area almost three times the size of Texas.
On October 31, 1864, an entire company of the 5th United States Cavalry sent out from Fort Benlin to destroy him, was ambushed and massacred at the Rostes ranch.
We are indebted to Timothy Ryan, bugler 5th United States Cavalry, the company's sole survivor, for his diary, the only existing record of this tragedy and the campaign that followed.
- Alternate versionsThree major scenes (and some minor ones) were added to the restored version, along with a new score by Christopher Caliendo. The major scenes added are:
- Captain Tyreen and his men are captured by Dundee in a mountain stream as they attempt to escape the prison;
- Dundee spends more time recovering in Durango, falling in love with Melinche (Aurora Clavell), a Mexican girl who nurses his wounds;
- A scene where Dundee, Tyreen, a several of their officers - Samuel Potts (James Coburn), Sergeant Gomez (Mario Adorf), and Lieutenant Graham (Jim Hutton) - find a marker left for them by Charriba (Michael Pate) and discuss strategy on how to fight him. At the end of the scene, we learn the fate of the Indian scout Riago (Jose Carlos Ruiz), who has been crucified in a tree by Charriba's men. In the original version, his character simply disappears without a trace.
- Various smaller shots are added, including a burial of corpses after the opening massacre, children watching the activities in Fort Benlin, Potts struggling to find a partner during the fiesta at the Mexican village, and a slightly longer version of the Apache river ambush.
- Also available as extras on the DVD are a slightly longer version of the interlude at the river between Dundee and Teresa (Senta Berger), and a knife fight between Potts and Gomez in the Mexican village.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron (1993)
- SoundtracksMajor Dundee March
Music Daniele Amfitheatrof
Lyrics Ned Washington
Sung by Mitch Miller's Sing Along Gang
The restored version of "Major Dundee" is a good film directed by Sam Peckinpah. The story of revenge and seeking glory by a stubborn officer has great moments, mainly the constant friction between Union and Confederate soldiers that are forced to team-up. The lack of chemistry between Charlton Heston and Senta Berger in an unnecessary romance could have been edited. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Juramento de Vingança" ("Vengeance Oath")
- claudio_carvalho
- Feb 1, 2018
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $3,800,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $20,807
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,520
- Apr 10, 2005
- Gross worldwide
- $20,807