I have to read Birney's novel, which is a deeply layered story of the recruits of the 3rd Cavalry facing almost certain death trying to subdue the "renegades" remaining on the high plains. The romantic interests in the story add to the drama and the emotional attachment to each soldier. No doubt, General McCabe (Duggan) became the inspiration of Custer's "Little Big Man". Although filmed in 1966, it captures the elements of the 50s westerns with the political statements of the later 60's westerns, where the authority makes decisions not in the best of interests of their own men. So, it is also a bit of a 'tweener, linking the old westerns to the new. Every actor rode his own horse, there didn't seem to be an overuse of stunt men. You have to wonder in the old westerns whether one of the first question of an actor was "can you ride a horse". Because these were expert horsemen, the entire cast. The acting is more than adequate to pull of the difficult multi-layered story. Slim Pickens, in particular, is up to his par in this film, but more serious than in most. A good tale, well crafted by Peckinpagh, and well filmed on location.
Review of The Glory Guys
