Ambush

There is something arbitrary about how films are remembered. This one mostly is not, but it is actually a good film that strives to weave a multi-faceted plotline that doesn't insult the intelligence of adults. The B-movies were for kids and featured cowboys in pressed pants, but this one has beard stubble on the hero, and you first meet him in dirty clothing. The action sequences are very well done, and the black-and-white photography runs from so-so when depicting things at night to excellent in scenery shots. The best of those were from near Gallup, new Mexico. The characters are out to retrieve a captive white woman from the Apache. There are petty rivalries, stumbling romance (most are), and conflicted characters. This one is not well remembered because Hollywood leftists carry grudges to the grave, and Robert Taylor was a staunch anti-Communist and chum of Ronald Reagan. It's all I can figure. Taylor oozes Alpha Male but doesn't strain credulity, as does much of John Wayne's material. Don't let the not-so-great packaging fool you. This one is right up there with Budd Boetticher / Randolph Scott's best, and better than many well known Westerns. there is a reason for the Western fad in the fifties. Films like this may be part of it.

Liked it

Entertainment. Would of been better if in color.

Great western story.

Good solid Western, told straightforwardly. John McIntire turns in his usual solid supporting performance.

A thoroughly entertaining western and well transferred onto DVD. Written by someone that understood life on frontier Army posts. The audience is treated intlligently by the producers in that in the end, although we know what is going to happen with the two romances featured in the film, they are not blatently displayed but only hinted at in the backdrop of the overall tradgedy of the battle won. All the actors gave solid performances.

Robert Taylor western movies are always good. A movie I had never seen before.

One of Robert Taylor's best movies

This review is for the WARNER ARCHIVE DVD. An excellent transfer, 4.3 ratio, good clear B/W (more below) picture and good sound. No extras. The film is an average "A" western from MGM, and whilst average it is pretty good. Well filmed on magnificent locations (with the occasional jarring studio insert), there is plenty of action to satisfy the western fan. Taylor is a scout reluctantly helping the cavalry search for a captured white girl, and falling for the girl's sister, Arlene Dahl, much to her suitor's (John Hodiak) annoyence (the fight between Taylor and Hodiak is unusual to say the least - see the film)> Sam Wood directs with pace, and it's good fun on a Saturday Night with a glass or two of wine. Three purely personal observations - I own a colourised version of this, got from where I honestly don't remember. Now I am generally not in favour of colourisation, but this film cries out for colour, and it would have been marvellous if Warner had given us both versions. Also, had I been casting I would have swopped the roles of Chief Thunder5cloud and Charlie Stevens, but you need to see the film to see if you agree!! Lastly Jean Hagen wipes the floor with Ms Dahl, but that may be up for discussion!

I remember watching this film as a young lad, I searched for the film and bought other films because I couldn't remember the name of the film or the actors in it. It intrigued me even when I was young how the hero got whooped in a fist fight and how the indians developed their ambush. The film is full of action and suspense. As usual Robert Taylor puts in his usual firm and simple performance, and as I said the ending is intriguing and full of action. I highly recommend this film for western enthusiasts.

I enjoyed the pacy plot and it was fascinating to see the some ambush techniques that became cliches in later weatern films

HI! GOOD OLD WESTERN,THANKS.

if you looking for a good old-fashioned cavalry/indian western,then this is it, they don't come much better than this.some good action with cavalry/indians but also somestill romantic moments with the lovely Arlene Dahl.