"Bugles in the Afternoon" was another telling of the Battle at Little Big Horn. This version tells the story from the point of view of two soldiers who hate each other over a previous confrontation.
In the opening, Capt. Kern Shafter (Ray Milland) is being stripped of his rank and dishonorably discharged over a disagreement with fellow officer Capt. Edward Garnett (Hugh Marlowe) in which Garnett was "run through". Shafter then travels west to Fort Lincoln, Nebraska the headquarters of General George Custer (Sheb Wooley). On the way west Shafter strikes up an amicable friendship with the comely Josephine Russell (Helena Carter).
On his arrival at the fort, Shafter re-enlists as a private (I don't know how this was possible since he had been drummed out of the army back east). Shafter discovers that Garnett is also at the post. An old acquaintance Capt. Myles Moylan (Barton MacLane) arranges with S/Maj. Hines (James Millican) to have Shafter assigned to him. Hines hands Sergeant's stripes formerly belonging to the high spirited Irishman Donavan (Forrest Tucker) Donovan challenges Shafter to a fight and comes to respect him.
Later, much to Shafter's chagrin, he discovers that Garnett is also interested in Josephine. Garnett manages to have Shafter assigned to him and sends him on dangerous life threatening missions in the hope that he will not return. Garnett and Shafter are a part of a scouting mission preceding the Little Big Horn battle. Garnett sends Shafter, Donovan and McDermott (John Pickard) on a suicidal mission. Garnett fails to prevent their ambush and both Donovan and McDermott are killed.
Shafter discovers the Little Big Horn massacre of Custer's command. Back in camp, Shafter confronts Garrett and.............................................................
Director Roy Rowland gives us plenty of action and beautiful scenery. There is a couple of well staged battles with the Sioux, however the main battle involving Custer is not shown. There are also a couple of fights, the first between Tucker and Milland and the second between Marlowe and Milland and their respective stunt doubles.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are several recognizable western vets in the cast. Look for Hugh Beaumont, Walter Coy, John Doucette, Harry Lauter, Bud Osborne and Bob Steele in smaller roles.
In the opening, Capt. Kern Shafter (Ray Milland) is being stripped of his rank and dishonorably discharged over a disagreement with fellow officer Capt. Edward Garnett (Hugh Marlowe) in which Garnett was "run through". Shafter then travels west to Fort Lincoln, Nebraska the headquarters of General George Custer (Sheb Wooley). On the way west Shafter strikes up an amicable friendship with the comely Josephine Russell (Helena Carter).
On his arrival at the fort, Shafter re-enlists as a private (I don't know how this was possible since he had been drummed out of the army back east). Shafter discovers that Garnett is also at the post. An old acquaintance Capt. Myles Moylan (Barton MacLane) arranges with S/Maj. Hines (James Millican) to have Shafter assigned to him. Hines hands Sergeant's stripes formerly belonging to the high spirited Irishman Donavan (Forrest Tucker) Donovan challenges Shafter to a fight and comes to respect him.
Later, much to Shafter's chagrin, he discovers that Garnett is also interested in Josephine. Garnett manages to have Shafter assigned to him and sends him on dangerous life threatening missions in the hope that he will not return. Garnett and Shafter are a part of a scouting mission preceding the Little Big Horn battle. Garnett sends Shafter, Donovan and McDermott (John Pickard) on a suicidal mission. Garnett fails to prevent their ambush and both Donovan and McDermott are killed.
Shafter discovers the Little Big Horn massacre of Custer's command. Back in camp, Shafter confronts Garrett and.............................................................
Director Roy Rowland gives us plenty of action and beautiful scenery. There is a couple of well staged battles with the Sioux, however the main battle involving Custer is not shown. There are also a couple of fights, the first between Tucker and Milland and the second between Marlowe and Milland and their respective stunt doubles.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are several recognizable western vets in the cast. Look for Hugh Beaumont, Walter Coy, John Doucette, Harry Lauter, Bud Osborne and Bob Steele in smaller roles.