This is a good movie. Worth watching.
Here's what I liked:
Here's what was not so great:
Here's what I liked:
- Unique female theme. In the vast majority of Westerns, the female roles are blatantly gratuitous. This movie puts a group of strong, independent women at the center of the film and stays with them to the end. This movie is a real contribution to the genre for that reason.
- Even though the rest of the "tough wagon train crossing" theme is clichéd, at least there are no gaping plot holes and all the characters and their motivations are consistent. Wellman knows how to tell a logical story and not leave any loose ends lying around.
- Rod Taylor is once again solid as the charismatic lead. He's doesn't play so much the "super scout" as the "tough wagon train boss".
- Great pains were taken to film in a variety of stunning Western landscapes and vistas. Hardly any sound stage scenes.
- Very sad scene where a little boy is shot dead by accidental "friendly fire" while the women are being trained to use a rifle. It's amazing that with all the bullets flying around in every Western we watch, more characters aren't killed by accident. Reminded me of "The Proud Ones" where a character finally gets a concussion from being struck on the head with the butt of a pistol.
Here's what was not so great:
- The only comic relief comes from a very stereotyped Japanese character.
- Indians only appear briefly, and then as clichéd faceless "others' whose sole purpose to attack a circled wagon train and kill good guys, or girls in this case.
- As mentioned above, except for the dominant women, script didn't depart an iota from the standard wagon train crossing movie.
- Black and white film severely detracts from the quality of the scenery.