The story is set during the Civil War. For some reason, a Union prisoner of war camp is set way, way out west around the territory of the Mescalero Apache (which is around Southern New Mexico, though they were a nomadic tribe). When some of the Southern soldiers escape, it's up to the tough-as-nails Captain (William Holden) to track them down...or die trying. The problem is that eventually, when he does find the POWs, they're ALL at the mercy of the landlords...the Mescalero...and apparently they DON'T like squatters!
While in some ways the film is pretty decent, I really felt annoyed by much of the action. Again and again, the Mescalero warriors just rode around and around and around their horses...WAITING to be shot! They often didn't even fire back...just rode by as the soldier's shot at them! Only later did the Mescalero act with any sense of intelligence...which was kind of insulting AND stupid.
The casting decisions in this film were a bit odd. While it seemed odd seeing William Demerest as a Confederate soldier, it seemed REALLY odd to see John Forsythe, with his lovely Northern accent!
So is it worth seeing? Well, I'd put it in the category of 'Time Passer'...a film that is modestly entertaining but nothing more. Little about the movie excited me one way or the other.
While in some ways the film is pretty decent, I really felt annoyed by much of the action. Again and again, the Mescalero warriors just rode around and around and around their horses...WAITING to be shot! They often didn't even fire back...just rode by as the soldier's shot at them! Only later did the Mescalero act with any sense of intelligence...which was kind of insulting AND stupid.
The casting decisions in this film were a bit odd. While it seemed odd seeing William Demerest as a Confederate soldier, it seemed REALLY odd to see John Forsythe, with his lovely Northern accent!
So is it worth seeing? Well, I'd put it in the category of 'Time Passer'...a film that is modestly entertaining but nothing more. Little about the movie excited me one way or the other.