It's 1832. Jim Deakins (Kirk Douglas) is a self-reliant man in Kentucky. Boone Caudill (Dewey Martin) becomes a fast drinking buddy and they're arrested for a bar fight. They find Boone's uncle Zeb as their new cellmate. They join Zeb and Frenchy who is leading an expedition of some thirty fur trappers and one woman, Teal Eye. She's one of the Blackfoot chief's daughter who escaped from an enemy tribe. They go up the Missouri to the Yellowstone River seeking trade with the Blackfoot nation.
This was nominated for Best Cinematography. I was expecting grand vista through the entire movie. I'm a bit disappointed that the vast majority is obviously filmed in a large interior set. It's standard practice but I was hoping for something akin to The Searchers (1956). My expectations were too high. The other issue is that there are too many characters. Fewer people on the boat would achieve better characterization. It's a fine action adventure but it's more a series of adventures. Overall, it's less than I expected but I may have expected too much.
This was nominated for Best Cinematography. I was expecting grand vista through the entire movie. I'm a bit disappointed that the vast majority is obviously filmed in a large interior set. It's standard practice but I was hoping for something akin to The Searchers (1956). My expectations were too high. The other issue is that there are too many characters. Fewer people on the boat would achieve better characterization. It's a fine action adventure but it's more a series of adventures. Overall, it's less than I expected but I may have expected too much.