Joseph Cotten commands a troop of Confederate cavalry who are in a Union prison camp near the end of the Civil War. They are approached by Union cavalry officer Cornel Wilde and offered amnesty if they will enlist in the Union army and go out west to help fight the natives. They somewhat reluctantly agree and head off for a sparsely manned fort commanded by Jeff Chandler, a fairly bitter man sent to this command because of a leg injury sustained escaping a Confederate prison.
Obviously Cotten and Chandler don't get along very well and Wilde is stuck in the middle. Most of the plot is focused on how poor Chandler is as a commander while he's nursing bitter resentments, and on Cotten's determination to take his men and desert. Both have to learn the error of their ways mostly by having the natives as a common enemies. (In the film's defense, the native's hostility is mostly explained by Chandler's really poor decisions.)
Another major plot thread involves Linda Darnell, the widow of Chandler's brother. She is at the fort hoping to push on to California, but Chandler won't let her leave due to an unhealthy fixation. Wilde is also in love with her.
It's an adequate western with two many disparate plot lines vying for dominance that is elevated by it's fine cast and Robert Wise's assured direction. It's a really great looking film.
Obviously Cotten and Chandler don't get along very well and Wilde is stuck in the middle. Most of the plot is focused on how poor Chandler is as a commander while he's nursing bitter resentments, and on Cotten's determination to take his men and desert. Both have to learn the error of their ways mostly by having the natives as a common enemies. (In the film's defense, the native's hostility is mostly explained by Chandler's really poor decisions.)
Another major plot thread involves Linda Darnell, the widow of Chandler's brother. She is at the fort hoping to push on to California, but Chandler won't let her leave due to an unhealthy fixation. Wilde is also in love with her.
It's an adequate western with two many disparate plot lines vying for dominance that is elevated by it's fine cast and Robert Wise's assured direction. It's a really great looking film.