When the late Charlton Heston (RIP) stated that if he could do his career over again and not do certain films, he must have had this tough, unpleasant little western in mind, which he himself cited as not being among his best. In fact, the only real praise he could offer for the film, made and released about three years before "The Ten Commandments" made him a star, was the typically intense performance of the late Jack Palance as his nemesis. Now from a cinematic standpoint, Heston is best remembered for his contributions to the epic (both historical and biblical) and cult science fiction genres, so it's not surprise that his contributions to the western/cowboy genre is often overlooked. In the case of this particular film though it's probably just as well that most people outside of his fan base don't remember it too well. "Major Dundee" and "Will Penny" were considerably more worthy efforts, the latter in particular.
Plot in a nutshell: Heston plays a grumpy, mean spirited cavalry scout, and ex-confederate to boot (VERY loosely based on a real man), who is so deeply possessed by his hatred of Native American Indians, especially the Apache, that it threatens to ruin just about everything around him. If he were any less civil towards the immediate soldiers in the fort, led by Brian Keith, none of whom want anything to do with the surly prick, he'd probably be voted out Survivor style. When an apparently "domesticated" Indian, played by Palance (back when it was considered politically correct and practical to take a white guy and essentially "paint" him to look like some other ethnicity) presumably to barter peaceful relations, Heston continues to badger everyone not to trust him. In the long run, Heston turns out to be correct as Palance's character rallies together his fellow Indians and goes on a killing spree, massacring every white person unlucky enough to get his line of sight (including a mild mannered fellow who was actually his 'blood brother' as children). This gives Heston's character the chance to step up and play the hero, as much as the character is capable of such.
Heston does the best he can with a thoroughly unlikable character who never really grows or learns or in any way redeems himself. Palance delivers the kind of quietly intense performance that put him on the map in better films such as "Shane". But the climactic clash between the two legendary tough guy stars is surprisingly underwhelming and disappointing. Brian Keith arguably gives the best performance of the film. Some okay action scenes and nice Technicolor help but not enough. Of interest primarily for western fans and fans curious to see earlier works for Heston.
Plot in a nutshell: Heston plays a grumpy, mean spirited cavalry scout, and ex-confederate to boot (VERY loosely based on a real man), who is so deeply possessed by his hatred of Native American Indians, especially the Apache, that it threatens to ruin just about everything around him. If he were any less civil towards the immediate soldiers in the fort, led by Brian Keith, none of whom want anything to do with the surly prick, he'd probably be voted out Survivor style. When an apparently "domesticated" Indian, played by Palance (back when it was considered politically correct and practical to take a white guy and essentially "paint" him to look like some other ethnicity) presumably to barter peaceful relations, Heston continues to badger everyone not to trust him. In the long run, Heston turns out to be correct as Palance's character rallies together his fellow Indians and goes on a killing spree, massacring every white person unlucky enough to get his line of sight (including a mild mannered fellow who was actually his 'blood brother' as children). This gives Heston's character the chance to step up and play the hero, as much as the character is capable of such.
Heston does the best he can with a thoroughly unlikable character who never really grows or learns or in any way redeems himself. Palance delivers the kind of quietly intense performance that put him on the map in better films such as "Shane". But the climactic clash between the two legendary tough guy stars is surprisingly underwhelming and disappointing. Brian Keith arguably gives the best performance of the film. Some okay action scenes and nice Technicolor help but not enough. Of interest primarily for western fans and fans curious to see earlier works for Heston.