User Reviews

A Distant Trumpet is directed by Raoul Walsh and written by John Twist with the adaptation from Paul Horgan's novel by Richard Fielder & Albert Beich. It stars Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette, William Reynolds, Diane McBain, Claude Akins & James Gregory. Max Steiner provides the musical score and William H. Clothier is the cinematographer.

1883, Fort Delivery, Arizona, and newly posted Lieutenant Matthew Hazard (Donahue) is about to be thrust into two wars. One is of the heart, the other pits him against the last pocket of Indian resistance: the Chiricahua's, led by the mighty War Eagle.

A blunderbuss "A" class production from Warner Bros that feels like a "B" class Oater from the 50s, A Distant Trumpet has much to recommend to the Western fan. Driven by a rousing cavalry themed score by Steiner, and beautifully photographed by Clothier around Red Rocks (New Mexico) & Painted Desert (Arizona) in Panavision/Technicolor, it's a film that carries a message and pays respect to the topic to hand. Without doubt the makers are keen to mark it out first and foremost as an adrenaline fuelled Cavalry Vs Indians based picture, with Walsh grandly staging the action sequence with skill (100s of extras/stunt men, no CGI here), but although the script could have done with some more work as regards the characterisations, the screenplay does make rich on the promise of adult themes. While the decision to let the Indian characters speak their own language is also a major bonus.

Where it falls down is three fold. Firstly is the problem of asking the average Donahue to carry the film, he may be easy on the eye to those so inclined, but his one note, expressionless, performance is often a distraction to the many splendours around him. Secondly is that the twin lovelies of McBain & Pleshette are underwritten and underused respectively, which in a film that's nearly two hours long (too long and that's the third point) is an act of stupidity. Some would argue that the love triangle sub-plot is an uneasy fit on context to the "war" at the film's core, but it does have value in regards to showing the point of view of the ladies marrying into the army way of life. Yes it should have been formed better, particularly from McBain's (yellow hair, yellow dress and vanilla ice cream skin) character's angle , but it does exist in the narrative and it's good to see.

It's far from the great swansong that Raoul Walsh deserved, but its pluses far outweigh the negatives. Be it battle orchestration (cliff top attack rules!), observing the thorn between two roses dynamic or just that it affords respect to the Indians, it's a film easily recommended to the genre fan. Besides which, Steiner and Clothier make it essential viewing. 7/10

Bringing closure to the Apache hostilities on the Arizona frontier is the subject of this cavalry-Indian dust-up. William Clothier's wide screen CinemaScope camera captures the colorful vistas and expanses of the southwest where the battles take place. The casting of the picture is somewhat off-beat, from the heroic Matthew Hazard to the Latin-quoting General Alexander Upton Quait and finally, and tragically, to the cowardly Private Cranshaw. The Indian scouts serve the cavalry with bravery and dignity while their wild and fierce brethren ride the warpath a final time to hold on to their way of life. There is also a romantic triangle that complicates matters at the post. Director Raoul Walsh, an old hand at action westerns, serves up several Indian-trooper clashes and Max Steiner contributes a very nice score that is reminiscent of his earlier music in John Ford's legendary westerns.

This may have started out as an "A" production and its visual elements are certainly first-rate. The ever-reliable William Clothier contributes sparkling color photography which fills the wide-screen with some of the most impressive vistas you're ever likely to see in a western. Unfortunately, by casting Troy Donahue in the lead role, Warner Bros. indicated it was relegating this production to "B" status, and the result is just another cavalry-and-Indians movie. Suzanne Pleshette shows promise as "Kitty" but it's hard to do good work when one's leading man is of the Ken-doll variety. Diane McBain has little to work with as the fiancee and merely adds to the feeling that "A Distant Trumpet" is a spin-off from Warner Bros. stable of TV westerns. At least the cavalry soldiers actually get dusty in this movie, and there's a good scene of Bobby Bare being branded on the back for cowardice.

Raoul Walsh's last movie and a western at that! He produced unforgettable classics of the genre such as " Colorado's territory" and "pursued ".

The movie suffers from a desultory script which mixes the Indian's plight with bland love affairs.The lead,Troy Donahue ,lacks charisma and is not very credible as a tough lieutenant .Diane McBain is as expressive as a Barbie Doll ,and only Suzanne Pleshette rises to the occasion.

There's a good use of the wide screen,a superb score by Max Steiner (with trumpets),a general who loves Latin quotations Julius Ceasar style (Veni Vidi Vici) That said,there's never a dull moment with Raoul Walsh .This is not his best or among his best ,but it's always good value.

This last Raoul Walsh film has to be assigned the status of a hot mess but since it is a Walshian mess there are, of course, some nuggets to be found within the detritus. Chief among these is one of the finest cavalry/Indian battle scenes you are likely to see, a nearly fifteen minute affair complete with well orchestrated charges, strategic retreats, feints and ambuscades. Nice to see this finest of action directors go out with at least one great action sequence under his belt. Also notable are good performances from Suzanne Pleshette and James Gregory. Plus, the Arizona location shooting is awesome (thinking especially of those extensive, terraced rapids next to War Eagle's camp). And Max Steiner's half stirring, half mocking musical score, one of HIS very last, rises to the occasion, as well.

Because I am a huge Walsh fan I will deal with the two main flaws as quickly as I can and assign them to others. One is a florid, clunky screenplay with a too hasty and historically inaccurate denouement and stiff, melodramatic dialogue from messers John Twist (known mostly for gal weepies and it shows), Richard Fielder and Albert Beicht. The other is Troy Donahue's performance in the lead. Put simply, it sucks. When he's with good thesps like Pleshette and Gregory you don't notice as much but when he's paired with a similarly crappy actor like Diane McBain it's like watching rejected scenes from "Surfside 6".

Bottom line: If you're a Walsh fan you'll like it, if you're a Pleshette fan you'll put up with it and if you're a Donahue fan, may I suggest therapy? Give it a C plus.

A majestically simple Cavalry Western concerning the savage and stirring story of the last of the Great Indian Wars . Dealing with West Point graduate Lt. Hazard : Troy Donahue taking on lax discipline , a loving triangle : Suzanne Pleshette , Diane McBain , and eventually fighting brave Indians in impressive battles . Pulitzer Prize Winner Paul Hogan's epic novel of Indians and Indian-fighters !

Raoul Walsh's last movie saddled with a regular storyline but with vivid pacing and action enough . Decent Western emerging as a sweeeping and spectacular cavalry story with noisy action , thrills , emotion and breathtaking battles . It displays astounding massacres before introducing the ordinary liberal message of the Sixties . An enjoyable cavalry and Indians film in which Raoul Walsh letting them to speak their own language , by using subtitles on screen . A little reminiscent of John Ford trilogy : "Fort Apache , She wore yellow ribbon, Río Grande" , in mood and manner. Although , the film relies heavily on the romantic complicaciones among three protagonists . Main and support cast are acceptable. Troy Donahue gives a colourless acting as the stiff-uper-lip officer , while Suzanne Pleshette and Diane McLean play well as his beautiful lovers . Along with the familiar secondaries as William Reynolds , Claude Akins , Kent Smith , Larry Ward , Russell Johnson and especial mention for James Gregory as the proud Maj. General Alexander Quaint .

It is brilliantly and colorfull photographed by William Clothier . Rousing and moving musical score by the classic Max Steiner , including attractive leitmotif . The motion picture was competently directed by Raoul Walsh. The laconic mastery here denies the aacusations of decline levelled at Walsh , even if many of his later movies were disappointing . Raoul Walsh was a prolific filmmaker who made a lot of films in all kinds of genres with penchant for adventures, Noir Film and Western , outstanding the following ones : " The Thief of Bagdag , Big Trail , The Roaring Twenties , They Drive By Night, Dark Command , They Died With boots On , Strawberry Blonde , High Sierra , Gentleman Jim, Desperate Journey, Northern Pursuit, , Background to Dager , Uncertain Glory , Objetivo Burma, Pursued, Silver River , The Enforcer, Distant Drums , White Heat , Along the Great Divide , The World in his Arms , The Lawless Bread , Blackbeard , Sea Devils , A Lion in the Streets , Gun Fury, Band of Angels The Tall Men The Naked and the Dead , Esther and the King" and many others .

Although no one would ever confuse Troy Donahue with John Wayne, Donahue does acquit himself well in A Distant Trumpet which turned out to be Raoul Walsh's final feature film.

Donahue who made his bones in Hollywood playing mostly decent All American type young men. Here he's a fresh West Point graduate assigned to an Arizona frontier post where the army is busy subduing the last of the great Indian tribes, the Chiracauhua Apache. He's under the command of General James Gregory who was a mentor to him at West Point.

In addition to fighting Indians Donahue has a romantic dilemma. He's engaged to Diane McBain who is Gregory's niece. But on the post now is an old flame Suzanne Pleshette who is married to fellow officer William Reynolds.

Donahue has a similar dilemma faced by John Wayne in Fort Apache. As with the Duke, Troy behaves in an honorable fashion. In fact in his private affairs he's honorable if very tempted.

Take note of a good performance by Judson Pratt as a superior and sympathetic officer to Donahue's plight and a really rollicking and unforgettable one by Claude Akins who is quite the flesh peddler to both the red and white race.

A Distant Trumpet is not as sentimental as John Ford's cavalry westerns. But Raoul Walsh ended his career with a good one.

A Distant Trumpet is a Big Boring western with an excess of monotonous wide screen Calvary maneuvers. By the way I do so like a good western. In fact I appreciate some mediocre and cult "B" type westerns, but this movie was not even bad enough to be laughable; it was just boring.

It's like the director was making a big movie that was suitable for preschoolers; no sex, no realistic violence, no believable fighting, limited dialogue. In fact the plot and dialogue was so limited that preschoolers could have played the parts.

This was director Raoul Walsh's last film, he was 77 years old; maybe his age, health, mental and physical stamina had something to do with the lackluster result of this final production.

A Distant Trumpet totally lacks drama; screen writers/director seem to have purposely limited character development and dialogue. The Indians were just there; you did not fear or feel sorry for them. The Indian fights were not believable. The deaths and injuries were staged and not believable. Calvary life was not believable. The whole cast was stiff and unbelievable. Suzanne Pleshette is the only one who had a moment or two where the audience could connect. On the whole it was stiff and there was no connection. Throughout watching this production, you never forget that you are watching a movie. The director must have been allergic to close-ups. Even the bad whiskey dealer and prostitutes were mere caricatures. This is an extremely disappointing production.

The more I watch this, the more I like it. Great epic scenes with a huge cast of soldiers, Indians, and horses in real American West settings. The wide screen Panavision photography (with original release prints in IB Technicolor) is excellent. CGI may be fine, but I have yet to see anything surpass the look of hundreds of REAL men on horses in stunning REAL outdoor settings.

As for the story, while I thought the book was very good, the way the characters are handled in the film is better in some ways, and the ending of the film much more to my liking.

One thing they did have to tone down from the book was the sex element. It appears WB even adjusted one sequence after prints were made up. This appears in Reel Two, where Matt Hazard (Tro Donahue) and Kitty Mainwarring (Susan Pleshette) are in thr cave together overnight. With Pleshette's back to audience line (apparently later dubbed in) says "Good night Matt" and there is an ABRUPT cut to daytime and troops coming into the fort. 35mm and 16mm prints I have seen all contain this SLICED cut. And the original 35mm trailer containing the cave sequence does not contain the "good night" line". I believe that originally there was an embrace and kiss between Troy and Suzanne and a DISSOLVE to the next scene (or fade out & in).

In any event, as Westerns go, this has a good story and looks better all the time, especially wide screen.

The US calvary has to stop at the border in their pursuit of the Indians. Fresh graduate 2nd Lt. Matthew 'Matt' Hazard (Troy Donahue) arrives at Fort Delivery in the Arizona Territory. He rescues Mrs. Kitty Mainwarring (Suzanne Pleshette), wife of the first Lt., from hostiles.

Troy Donahue is a bore. He has his pretty blonde hair and towers over the others. He looks like Dauber and has the charisma of a blank slate. Suzanne Pleshette tries her best, but even she becomes duller from the connection. I couldn't care less about the romantic complications. The location is epic. They employ in a lot horses and men. There are some big horse riding scenes which is probably the only compelling aspect of the movie. The battles are a lot of falling off horses stunt work. It gets a bit repetitive. The ending tries to be socially conscious. All in all, it's mostly boring.

Troy Donahue and Warner Bros had a great collaboration starting with "A Summer Place" and following with "Parrish" "Susan Slade" "Rome Adventure" and "Palm Springs Weekend" where Troy was always first billed over stars such as Claudette Colbert, Karl Marlden and Angie Dickinson, etc. Jack Warner obviously decided it was time to ramp up the Troy Donahue films and assigned veteran and legendary director Raoul Walsh who directed many of Warner Bros. greatest stars such as Errol Flynn in this rousing action drama. In addition William Clothier another stalwart professional of great films was the Cinematographer. First rate Warner Bros. production values and great action scenes crafted by Raoul Walsh, and some fine acting by a cast of supporting players makes this a fine film to watch anytime. Thumping Max Steiner score is tops.

Warners in the 1960's had a large group of fine contract players and Jack Warner slotted them in major Warner Bros films when he could so look here for Diane McBain and William Reynolds -both WB contract players- in this film. For Diane McBain this was her second film with Troy Donahue after "Parrish" and Suzanne Pleshette who married Troy Donahue after "Rome Adventure" is also cast.Very effective western with a splendid rousing memorable Max Steiner score.

Unlike several other reviewers here I do not think this had a ' B ' cast. Both Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette were hardly second rate actors in the early 60's and they impress here. Walsh was a good director, but he should have known a 1960's hairdo when he saw one and Pleshette is given one. Donahue is allowed to be more credible and given the inaccuracy of most Westerns concerning clothes and hair he follows more in the tradition of the 1950's interpretation ( we got most of our cinematic images from then as Westerns were at their arguably best.) Film has never really got to grips with the dirt, the diseased prostitutes and filth of the town environments. Walsh at least puts dust on the Cavalry clothes and gave Donahue in one scene a desperate need for a wash. The studios like Warner gave too much glamour and cleanliness for the women, but then this clearly drew the audience in. Overall the film is exciting, and their are some grisly deaths which may have been cut including a human branding in the UK. It was cut there for its ' A ' Certificate ( children allowed in only with adults. The widescreen scenery is as it should be and yet the excitement is not quite enough and the plot simply standard fare of any ' B ' Western. My main criticism is the overwhelming aural assault of Max Steiner's dreadful music. Worth watching yet again for Troy Donahue and the proof of how versatile he was as an actor.

Lt Matthew Hazard is posted to a desolate outpost on the Mexican border. When a full-scale attack on Apache Chief War Eagle fails, Matthew volunteers to try to persuade the Indians to stop fighting and settle on a reservation But the gallant and resourceful young officer finds more than the Apache to contend with.

Fairly exciting western adventure set in the Arizona Desert is marred slightly by the occasional ponderous pace, a plethora of romantic interludes and Troy Donahue as the hero. He's ok, tries his best, but he's too stiff, looks ill at ease and lacks a commanding presence. He looks like he would be more at home on a beach with a surfboard, but he's ably supported by a cast, and the narrative and superb action executed by Raoul Walsh makes one over look these small niggles. It's a vibrant cavalry western that doesn't paint the Apaches as the total bad guys.

Raoul Walsh finished his iconic directing career providing the otherwise wooden Troy Donahue his best performance that's still kind of wooden, but deliberately since his fresh from military school 2nd Lt. Matthew 'Matt' Hazard, put in charge of a Fort that's "like a toe waiting to be stomped" by surrounding Indians, must remain hard and callous to what he feels are a troop of lax soldiers...

Sadly, the least interesting aspect is pushed to the forefront since Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette were the melodrama Rock Hudson/Doris Day, and their romance is sparked the minute Pleshette... the loveless wife of a quirky William Reynolds as the 1rst Lt. That Donahue's replacing... visits the new arrival's sparse quarters, filled only with pictures of fiance Diane McBain, who, more classy and elegant than Pleshette, promises a kind of wistful, verbal-driven cat fight that never pans out...

Yet A DISTANT TRUMPET flows nicely under Walsh's direction, and Donahue's grandest moments are shaping up the lethargic soldiers, especially while rousting Claude Akins as a pimp with a wagon train of whores: It's when the big dusty White Men vs Indian war ensues that the story loses focus -- right as the characters started to matter. But, then again, in this kind of old school, cast-of-hundreds, battle-cry picture, the end means (i.e. The means to an end means) pretty much everything.

Jack Warner gave his biggest male contract star Troy Donahue a big Western with great talent behind the camera: Legendary Director Raoul Walsh, Expert cinematographer Bill Clothier and a rousing theme by Max Steiner.

Troy Donahue is excellent in this fin e Western directed by a legendary director Raoul Walsh. Walsh in his long career worked with the greats: Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney and Errol Flynn among many others. A great cameraman Bill Clothier was cinematographer and there are some truly outstanding shots.

Troy Donahue was a big star at WB and has as his co stars his wife Suzanne Pleshette as well as WB contract stars Diane McBain and William Reynolds.

Max Steiner created a truly fantastic thumping score. score.

This was an entertaining western, a love story, and a history (as well as political) lesson wrapped in one. If you don't mind Troy Donahue's acting style (powerful but deadpan) you'll find this a story that'll hold your attention.

You learn how tough it was out west, especially at isolated forts, hardly the romantic adventure you read about too often. You're also confronted with how unfairly Native Americans were treated, being lied to given empty promises. Troy's character takes a stand for what's right and just, even willing to sacrifice his Congressional Medal of Honor in opposition to the treatment a Native chief gets.

There's a love story, between him and (his then wife) Suzanne Pleshette, but hey should have had more scenes together. As part of a romantic conflict, there's both another man (William Reynolds) and another woman (Diane McBain), but each are taken care of, in different ways.

You'll see a familiar TV face in James Gregory, also known as Lt. Brennan on "My Favorite Martian".

I recommend this one.