The Command

source: The Command

Moviecut—The Command

The Command

This could be the story of a lesser known U. S. Cavalry Officer General Leonard Wood MD CMOH. Fought from Westward expansion to the First World War. Learned tactics from the indigenous peoples. Making U. S. armed forces a mobile power. The tactics that would defeat the Axis powers of Europe.

Although I have never seen this movie, I am studying widescreen movies of the fifties and their influence on an audience beginning to be sated with the small screen, i.e. hypnotized by the cathode ray, i.e. tainted by TV!....This one has to be one of the first westerns to use this photographic process, later to be called Panavision. According to the Widescreenmuseum website, ''Broken Lance'' was made in '54, along with the "western" "& Brides for 7 Brothers"; ''Chief Crazy Horse'' was filmed in in '55, along with ''The Kentuckian'' and ''The Man from Laramie'' .... So I am gonna call it like I see it for now - All hail Sam Fuller!

A great example of Guy Madison's talent. This movie has always been one of my favorite westerns. I only wish I could obtain it on either VHS or DVD. I always loved the fact that the success or failure of his mission depended on his mens faith in his rank, not knowing he was a surgeon and had no combat experience. I thought it hilarious that both his commanding and fellow officers had no knowledge of the lack of experience in the man they willingly submitted their destinies too.

The good thing about this movie is the sympathy toward Native Americans. The Native Americans had no immunity to smallpox or chicken pox and no medicine to treat diseases. The main character played by Guy Madison constantly showed concern toward the Native Americans although he had to fight them. Although this movie had this social issue,it still had all the rousing entertainment of most calvary movies. The movie had a lot of saluting, which sometimes became a distraction. James Whitmore was great as the seasoned veteran just as he was in "Battleground". This movie had me wanting both sides to win.

It was the first Cinemascope western ,shortly after the first one ("the robe" 1953) and oddly it did not feature big stars .It could have been the umpteenth Cavalry vs Indians plot with the usual wagon train which must brought through perilous country;of course there is a lovely girl ready to fall in love with the commanding officer -who is also fortunately a doctor.On the plus side ,there might be a smallpox epidemic ,which gives the movie more substance .All in all this is a pleasant western,the ending of which is not unlike that of " war of the worlds" (1953): the victor of the Indians is not really man but something much smaller than him.

I just watched this movie on the GRIT Network, and I loved it. To be honest, I had never heard of it before ( and I am a fan of Westerns), so it does not surprise me there are only 14 reviews of it. One thing I noticed, is Guy Madison ( Doctor Robert MacClaw who is a medical doctor put in command of troops by the deceased Captain Garrett) is in almost scene and the ones he is not in have either Martha Cutting ( Joan Weldon), or Sgt. Elliott ( James Whitmore). What really makes this movie ( besides the action), is.the relationship that MacClaw has with Martha.and Sgt. Elliott, as well as the fact that MacClaw relied on intelligence and trickery to defeat the Indians. He and Elliott both.knew there was not a military tactic in the book that the Indians were unaware of " The Indians are not dumb." ( Elliott), so( spoilers ahead) MacClaw invented some new ways of fighting (including using wagons on offense instead of simply on defense). Once again a great western.

This is one of those old Cowboy versus Indian westerns. As a kid growing up the cowboys were the good guys and the Indians the bad guys. Obviously as you grow up you realise that this wasn't the case. As a result the sight of Native Americans being mown down, leaves me slightly peeved. However I did watch the film in the context of the time it was made. Although it does drag in parts towards the middle, in the main this is a very well made western with some great action scenes as the cavalry do battle with the Indians. The final battle scenes were excellently done. Guy Madison does a good job as the charismatic doctor finding himself in charge of a troop when the commanding officer is killed. There is a bit of humour thrown in now and again and of course the the obligatory romance with the love interest being played by the beautiful Joan Weldon. Although not a truly great Western it's certainly an above average one and well worth watching for fans of this genre.