The Battle at Apache Pass

Pretty good western chronicles a strong fight between the Indian tribes and the US cavalry in New Mexico territory . Set during the American Civil War , this is the story of Maj. Jim Colton (John Lund) , a hard-working officer who has a nice relationship with Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler). Indians and US cavalry intend to make peace but the tribal chiefs feel their treaty has been violated . Then , at Fort Buchanan shows up the nasty and politically ambitious Indian agent Neil Baylor (Bruce Cowling) along with his supporter Mescal Jack (Jack Elam) , and , subsequently , there takes place the kidnapping a local farmer's son . The corrupt Baylor convinces Lt. George Bascom (John Hudson) that Cochise is the main responsible , and both of them execute an attack against Indians . Meanwhile , leader Jeronimo (Jay Silverheels) carries out razzias against the US Cavalry , caravans and settlements . The Apaches and Cavalry later meet in a battle that ends in disaster , with hostages executed by hanging on both sides . Shortly after , the cavalry column advances into the Apache pass and things go wrong .

A-Universal-International-Picture gets Western action , exciting assaults , go riding , shootouts , breathtaking Indian raids on Yankees regiments and resulting to be quite entertaining . This moving movie is an epic portrait of the thrilling story about tribal chiefs decide to unite their forces against the trespassing whites that break their treaties . The movie depicts a fictionalized account of "The Bascom Affair" of 1861 and "The battle of Apache pass" of 1862 . At Apache pass took place an impressive battle , the first time that the Indians meet modern , for the age , artillery U.S. All the battle scenes in this production were actually photographed at Arches National Monument Park . Producers gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the national Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior whose splendid cooperation made these scenes possible . It is medium budget film with good actors , technicians , production values and pleasing results . At the ending , when takes place the Indian attack , possesses all the sweep , grandeur and noisy action of the greatest Westerns of an age long past . The picture contains spectacular charges of Indian riders , including an overwhelming final when the US soldiers are besieged at a rocky pass . Nice acting from a great cast . As John Lund is good as a honorable Major who is in charge of maintaining order and attempts to keep the peace between US cavalry and Indians . The best acting is given by Jeff Chandler who provides stature to the role , delivering sincerity and bravura . Chandler was known , until his early death , for playing Indian chief Cochise , a dignified portrait well shown in : ¨Broken arrow¨ (50) by Delmer Daves , that was the first time the Red Indian was depicted as a human being rather than a brute savage merely to bite the dust at the hands of the US cavalry , as well as ¨Battle of Apache Pass¨ (1952) and ¨Taza , son of Cochise¨ (1954) by Douglas Sirk , this latter Jeff/Cochise is briefly glimpsed as a dying man at the beginning and handing over the reins of power to Rock Hudson as Taza . Although Chandler also played all kinds of genres , such as : ¨Return to Peyton Place¨(drama) , ¨Flame of Araby¨ (adventure) , ¨Merrill's marauders¨ (wartime , in his last film) , until his early death at 42-year-old . In addition , support cast is frankly excellent , such as : Beverly Tyler , John Hudson , Richard Egan , Gregg Palmer , Regis Toomey , Hugh O'Brian , James Best , and Jay Silverheels in his usual role as Geronimo , a violent Indian chief vowing to lead the tribes in battle against the encroaching white men . Furthermore , special mention for the usually baddie Jack Elam . This stimulating and stirring Western was beautifully photographed in Cinemascope , print in Technicolor by Charles Boyle , Universal's ordinary cameraman . And an original and shining score from Has J salter .

This motion picture was professionally directed by George Sherman in colorful style , though has a few flaws . He realized a great number of films , especially Westerns . As he specialized almost exclusively in "B" westerns , including the "Three Musketeers" series, which featured a young John Wayne. George directed lots of Westerns as ¨The Last of the Fast Guns¨ , ¨The Lone Hand¨, ¨Santa Fe stampede¨ , ¨Red skin¨ ,¨War Arrow¨ ¨Chief Crazy Horse¨ ¨Calamity Jane¨, ¨Relentless¨ , ¨Comanche Territory¨ , ¨Dawn at Socorro¨, ¨Border River¨ and many others . He also made occasional forays into action and horror themes, often achieving a sense of style over substance . The only "A"-grade films to his credit were two westerns starring John Wayne: ¨Comancheros¨ (1961) (as producer) and ¨The big Jack¨ (1971) . His last films were realized in Spain as "Find That Girl" , ¨The new Cinderella¨ and ¨Joaquin Murrieta¨. Rating : 6/10 . Acceptable and passable . Well worth watching .

The Battle at Apache Pass is directed by George Sherman and written by Gerald Drayson Adams. It stars Jeff Chandler, John Lund, Bruce Cowling, John Hudson, Susan Cabot, Jay Silverheels, Gregg Palmer and Jack Elam. Music is by Hans J. Salter and cinematography Charles P. Boyle. A Technicolor production, the location's for the shoot were at Moab, Utah, with Arches National Park, Colorado River, Courthouse Wash, Ida Gulch and Professor Valley forming the backdrops to the story.

The film is a fictionalised account of The Bascom Affair of 1861 and the Battle of Apache Pass that occurred in 1862, the latter of which saw the Indians witness for the first time in the region an artillery attack by means of mountain howitzers. It deals in the events that led up to the battle and focuses on the in fighting between Chiricahua warriors Cochise and Geronimo.

Although both Chandler and Silverheels reprise their character roles from Broken Arrow 1950, The Battle at Apache Pass takes place prior to the events depicted in the 1950 movie. As solid as they come story wise, and with beautiful Technicolor scenery, Sherman's film is only really let down by not having acting gravitas in the American roles. Messrs Lund, Cowling and Hudson are OK, but the material needed more assured performers to play off of the excellent Chandler. On the feminine side Cabot does the best with what little she is given to do, while Beverly Tyler, playing a pretty important character narratively speaking, is just a pretty tug-of-war prop device. However, it's easy to look away from the lack of dramatic worth in the acting because Sherman's action set ups are very good, with the actual battle of the title brilliantly constructed in a rock formed valley, featuring reams of extras, lots of war-fare and the thunder of howitzers filling the ears. While Boyle's (Horizon's West/Tomahawk) photography is sumptuous and a credit to the cinematographer's craft. Salter's score, tho, is only standard fare, with familiar Redskin strains for the Indians and drum beat military thrusts for the Cavalry sequences.

A fine film to look at, with a more than interesting story driving it forward, it sadly, tho, needed more grit from a good portion of the cast. 6.5/10

Hollywood in the 1950's was in the throws of changing the mystic conception that White men were always beating the Native Americans in war. In this film called " The Battle at Apache Pass " is one of the new attempts at glorying the U.S. Calvary's version of that now infamous battle. To be sure, the movie portrays the Indian as an undisciplined savage out to kill every white man and the U.S. cavalry as military pawns of opportunistic land grabbing marauders. However, within the ranks of the Apache are two of the more notorious names who's names are inscribed in Western Lore. This movie purports to have Geronimo (Jay Silverheels) and Cochise (Jeff Chandler) engaged in battle with Maj. Jim Coltton (John Lund and George Bascom (John Hudson) using the first use of western field cannons. The dialog between the Whites and Indians is standard Hollywood, but does depict some of the actual atrocities committed on both sides. This is a good attempt of the evolution of western films and with the addition of James Best, Regis Toomey, Hugh O'Brian and Richard Egan in it's cast, manages a plausible rendition of a historical event. ****

Apache chief Cochise (Jeff Chandler) resolves to make a treaty allowing his people to live in peace with white settlers. However, his hot-headed fellow leader Geronimo disagrees, and puts the negotiations at risk by embarking on a murder spree, incurring the wrath of his enemies.

A big moneymaker in its day, and its understandable why. It ticks all the boxes in delivering an engaging action western with plenty of conflict thrown in; the buildup to powder keg situation where Cochise has to fight against the cavalry - an Indian agent played by Bruce Cowling and Mescal Jack played by Jack Elam stir up an Apache war - is well done.

Jeff Chandler reprises his role of Cochise, whom he played in Delmer Daves' Broken arrow, and plays the role with dignity and command. John Lund is fine as the sympathetic cavalry officer. Susan Cabot and Beverley Tyler are ravishing.

A solid western with a beautifully shot location.

This colorful western is a rousing yarn that is one of the best of the 1950s. The picture is based on two historical events, the shameful Bascom affair, and the fight in Apache Pass in which two mountain howitzers foiled a well-planned ambush by the Indians. Cochise's Chiricahuas and the U.S. cavalry do all they can to keep peace in the southwest but renegade Mogollons and greedy, scheming whites are just as determined to cause trouble between the Apaches and the soldiers. Jeff Chandler reprises his role as Cochise in the landmark western, "Broken Arrow", as does Jay Silverheels as the warlike Geronimo. John Lund is the major who is sympathetic to the Indians and values his friendship with Cochise. Bruce Cowling and Jack Elam are the white men who have other ideas about how to deal with the Indians. Richard Egan and Hugh O'Brian are also good as army lieutenants. Tech credits are great, especially the camera work by Charles Boyle and the music score by Hans Salter.