For Every Good Thing in this Glossy Western there is something that keeps it from being a Fine Film. Although it is above Average.
The Outdoor Sun Drenched Sprawl is Striking and the Sense of Open Space among Sharp Protruding Mountain Rocks is Excellent. Then there is an Outdoor Scene that is a Fake and Obvious Studio Set and it Releases the Viewer from any Suspension of Disbelief.
It is an Attractive Color Movie that Draws Unneeded Attention to itself with Stiff Starched Ultra Clean Costumes and Salon Hair-Do's. Even the Confederate Prisoners are Groomed and Look Spiffy.
There is some Sharp Dialog, mostly from Crusty William Demarest Sparring with a Youngster, but then there is the Clunky Banter between William Holden and the Immaculately Dressed Eleanor Parker that is at times Cringe-Worthy. "What makes you so sure of yourself?... The way you light a man's cigar."
The Best Part of this Over Produced Western is the much Talked about Climax that has an Indian Attack with the Mescaleros using some Military Artillery Tactics and the Standoff is Staged just a bit Off Key and that Boosts the Movie to just Above Standard Stuff despite all the Effort from MGM to make this something Special.
It was the Studio's Prissy Attitude and Obsession with Gloss and Sheen that has kept this in Unnoticed Unremarkable Territory.
The Outdoor Sun Drenched Sprawl is Striking and the Sense of Open Space among Sharp Protruding Mountain Rocks is Excellent. Then there is an Outdoor Scene that is a Fake and Obvious Studio Set and it Releases the Viewer from any Suspension of Disbelief.
It is an Attractive Color Movie that Draws Unneeded Attention to itself with Stiff Starched Ultra Clean Costumes and Salon Hair-Do's. Even the Confederate Prisoners are Groomed and Look Spiffy.
There is some Sharp Dialog, mostly from Crusty William Demarest Sparring with a Youngster, but then there is the Clunky Banter between William Holden and the Immaculately Dressed Eleanor Parker that is at times Cringe-Worthy. "What makes you so sure of yourself?... The way you light a man's cigar."
The Best Part of this Over Produced Western is the much Talked about Climax that has an Indian Attack with the Mescaleros using some Military Artillery Tactics and the Standoff is Staged just a bit Off Key and that Boosts the Movie to just Above Standard Stuff despite all the Effort from MGM to make this something Special.
It was the Studio's Prissy Attitude and Obsession with Gloss and Sheen that has kept this in Unnoticed Unremarkable Territory.