The Undefeated

The Undefeated

This movie is a good time passer but certainly cannot be ranked among the better John Wayne films. That's because of an odd casting decision--pairing John Wayne with Rock Hudson. Hudson is just all wrong, as he's way too pretty and sophisticated to be in a western. He's really much more in his element wearing a tux and drinking martinis with a pretty lady---not cast as a Confederate officer just after the conclusion of the Civil War. Plus, the chemistry just seemed a little lacking between them. Unfortunately, this lack of chemistry is apparent in several of the films towards the end of John Wayne's career. Still, despite its shortcomings, this is a watchable film and you could certainly do a lot worse than watch this flick.

THE UNDEFEATED is another John Wayne western from assured director Andrew V. McLaglen, who could always be relied upon to deliver efficient, brisk, and occasionally workmanlike pictures for the star. Wayne teams up with an equally tall actor here, none other than Rock Hudson, and both actors are hidden beneath mounds of facial hair seemingly inspired by the late '60s hippy-long hair movement. The story begins just as the American Civil War is ending. Wayne and Hudson are on opposite sides, but as both are good guys then you just know they'll end up teaming together by the end. The pair end up south of the border in an adventure that sees them fighting off Mexican revolutionaries and trying to protect their loved ones. This is a well shot movie, perhaps not the most exciting that Wayne ever made, but with solid action and larger-than-life performances. A big cast including Bruce Cabot, Jan-Michael Vincent, Ben Johnson and Paul Fix play in support.

i rather enjoyed this movie starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson.i found it fast paced and exciting.i don't think it had the epic feel of many of Wayne movies(it feels like it has a smaller scope to it)but it's still pretty good.i did think that the music was bit too much at times.it just got too loud and repetitive.the acting was pretty good,not only from Wayne and Hudson,but also from the supporting players,many big names of the time,and some yet to be.this is not the best John Wayne movie i have seen,but it is still very good and well worth watching.you could do a lot worse with your time.for me,The Undefeated is a 7/10

John Wayne and Rock Hudson play off each other with confidence and style in this fine movie western. THE UNDEFEATED endlessly frames its two super-popular movie stars from low camera angles and often adds perfect blue skies above and picturesque western vistas in deep focus behind. Both in full command of the camera, regal, standing straight and tall -- here John Wayne and Rock Hudson live forever larger than life. THE UNDEFEATED is pure hero worship eye candy! Although the story is rather flawed, everything else is A+. The music is among the best of bold western movie scores. The direction as noted above is respectful to the picture's two great American icons. It is not perfect, but THE UNDEFEATED is an exceptionally fun movie to watch.

I like John Wayne, regardless. he was a real good actor for war movies and for westerns like this one. The Undefeated is a nice post-Civil War western with Wayne and Hudson as main stars, and they both deliver excellent parts, as a Union and a Confederate officers, respectively. This is not any new story, down in Mexico, with all the bandits, wild horses, Mexican troops, deserts, shoot-outs, women, Indians, cactuses, dances and all. Nothing very new, but this movie really works well and all 120 minutes it is a nice and fast sunny dry Mexican drama. Some phrases and dialog lines are very cool and deeply humorous, too. Why 8, and not 10? As I wrote above, rather predictable plot, looks often like many Mexico border westerns so far. Often, smacks of some other Wayne films, but generally, still, a very enjoyable, fast, often hilarious movie full of action and events. Good for all western buffs and Civil war aficionados like me/ Recommended

If you ever wanted to see John Wayne and Rock Hudson wear long sideburns, this is the movie for you. Duke plays a Yankee and Rock plays a Rebel in this post-Civil War western that finds both men coming into conflict with Mexican bandits and soldiers. Yeah. Watch to see how that happens. Supporting cast includes Jan-Michael Vincent, Merlin Olsen, Tony Aguilar, and so on. Certain elements of this, such as the hairstyles, are very much a product of the era in which this was made rather than historical accuracy. It reminds me of Bonanza in the '70s when Little Joe had long bushy sideburns because actor Michael Landon cared more about his personal style than that of his character. The curiosity factor of seeing Duke and Rock in a movie together might make it worth seeing for some. Really, though, it's pretty dull. The direction is pedestrian and uninteresting. It's watchable enough, particularly for fans of Wayne and Hudson. But beyond that it's nothing special.