Watched: 03/08/2026
Format: YouTube link here
Viewing: First
Director: Robert Wise
Interesting premise for a film, and, in my opinion - very well executed.
In 1864, Joseph Cotten is a captured Confederate infantry officer. Cornel Wilde plays a wounded Union officer who won't be sent back to the front line, but which the Army of the Republic will send to the frontier. Lincoln is offering Confederate prisoners an opportunity to join the Union Army and go protect the mail routes and interests on the US, freeing up the regular soldiers to fight in the war. And, so Wilde recruits Cotten and his regiment, which Cotten does so he won't die or disease in a frigid Illinois prison.
Arrived, we find the Fort is headed by a semi-crippled officer, Major Henry Kenniston (Jeff Chandler). Kenniston's brother was killed during a major battle, widowing Linda Darnell. Darnell plays a Californian/ Mexican (which she did in a couple of movies, it seems) and is the object of desire for Wilde, Chandler and maybe a bit for Cotten. She is, after all, Linda Darnell.
Chandler's officer has a bit of a Kurtz/ Ahab vibe. His leg is not what it was, and he has a mad-on for anyone who isn't a union soldier. Also, he is maybe lightly holding his sister-in-law at the Fort despite her wish to get to California. The "I hate everyone" bit is a bad fit for the arriving ex-Confederates. And the Natives outside the Fort, with whom he is developing beef.
