An American Civil War western from director Robert Wise. However this is a low budget B potboiler.
During the Civil War. Confederate prisoners of war could gain their freedom. If they joined the Union Army to defend the frontier against Indian attacks.
Confederate war hero Colonel Clay Tucker (Joseph Cotten) reluctantly agrees to bring his men over to be led by Major Henry Kenniston (Jeff Chandler.)
It is an uneasy relationship. The Confederate soldiers are glad to be out of prison and planning to escape when the time is right.
Major Kenniston does not trust or even like the Confederate soldiers. He blames them for is brother's death in the war. It is an uneasy alliance. Especially as Major Kenniston is also a hothead.
Tucker gets friendly with widow Elena (Linda Darnell.) She was married to Kenniston's late brother. The Major also has designs on her along with another Union officer.
Events come to a head when there is an Indian attack on the fort. Major Kenniston full of hate, fans the flames of hate even more.
There is an interesting premise to the story. Wise handles the material solidly. But it is all a bit plain and dull.
Kenniston is bitter, angry and unstable. Tucker is honourable and even decent. Irregardless of the cause he was fighting for was the continuation of slavery.
During the Civil War. Confederate prisoners of war could gain their freedom. If they joined the Union Army to defend the frontier against Indian attacks.
Confederate war hero Colonel Clay Tucker (Joseph Cotten) reluctantly agrees to bring his men over to be led by Major Henry Kenniston (Jeff Chandler.)
It is an uneasy relationship. The Confederate soldiers are glad to be out of prison and planning to escape when the time is right.
Major Kenniston does not trust or even like the Confederate soldiers. He blames them for is brother's death in the war. It is an uneasy alliance. Especially as Major Kenniston is also a hothead.
Tucker gets friendly with widow Elena (Linda Darnell.) She was married to Kenniston's late brother. The Major also has designs on her along with another Union officer.
Events come to a head when there is an Indian attack on the fort. Major Kenniston full of hate, fans the flames of hate even more.
There is an interesting premise to the story. Wise handles the material solidly. But it is all a bit plain and dull.
Kenniston is bitter, angry and unstable. Tucker is honourable and even decent. Irregardless of the cause he was fighting for was the continuation of slavery.