Linkshoch Wonderful Movie

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

dougdoepke Two ex-Confederates are recruited from a Yankee prison to help prevent a load of repeating rifles from aiding an Apache uprising.On the whole, the screenplay is too complex with too many side diversions to deliver a suspenseful result. Nonetheless, there's another generic kind of problem that detracts heavily. Large-scale westerns like this are always a problem for actors. That's especially the case for the leads. The problem is how not to be over-shadowed by the scale of action in order to maintain star status. Most noticeable here is over-acting among several of the principals: Franciosa as a leering Frito Bandido, Boone as an overly smug revenge seeker, and O'Brien as an unhinged Confederate General. All go into unfortunate overdrive to compete with the explosive action. On the other hand, Whitman is barely noticeable amid the heavy competition (he was soon relegated to TV), while the unfortunate Wagner (Indian girl) could double as a cigar store manikin. Too bad the screenplay didn't take a page from The Magnificent Seven (1960), which it resembles in several respects. There, characterizations and performances are well integrated into the action, without a damaging competition.But then, acting is not what usually draws fans to action movies. And here, there's plenty of gunpowder, from skirmishes, to showdowns, to big pyrotechnics. Otherwise, despite the hoopla of an A-western, the 100-minutes is pretty forgettable.

PamelaShort Richard Boone is in fine form playing a former Confederate soldier who is out on a rampageous mission to seek fierce revenge on the Indians who massacred his family. After being caught with a stolen repeater rifle, he agrees with the army Captain to lead a group to the weapons being illegally traded to the Indians. He is joined by Stuart Whitman, Anthony Franciosa, Jim Brown and a beautiful Apache girl played by Wende Wagner, on quite a journey with the escapades full of violence and savagery. This adult western is finely paced with plenty of gritty action, memorable acting by Richard Boone, with great performances given by all involved. Presented with fine cinematography and an excellent soundtrack to accompany the film, I found this real tough and heavy western very entertaining. If you are a fan of adult westerns from the 1960s, you may find this Richard Boone film very satisfying watching.

JohnHowardReid Although co-scripted by Clair Huffaker — The Second Time Around, Flaming Star, The Comancheros, The War Wagon — and Joseph Landon — Von Ryan's Express, Finian's Rainbow — this is little more than just another western. I remember seeing it, coupled with an equally far from lively first-half feature, at a cavernous suburban theatre on first release. Few hardy souls had ventured into the theatre to begin with. By the time Rio Conchos ground to an end, there were fewer still. Not an uninteresting yarn, so far as routine westerns go, but rather flatly directed by Gordon Douglas and somewhat poorly played. Stuart Whitman, who lent admirable support to John Wayne in The Comancheros, is hardly a charismatic or heroic type, despite his earnest efforts to overcome these personality defects. Franciosa, as usual, tends to overact, despite being obviously miscast — which compounds his error. Edmond O'Brien's performance (in a small but important role) is the film's most impressive. I don't recall Wende Wagner at all. In fact I'd have bet good money that this was her only film. I'm surprised to discover that she actually made a few more. Joe MacDonald's CinemaScope photography along with Jerry Goldsmith's music score are this modestly produced (at least by comparable "A" standards) film's main assets.

moonspinner55 Dusty, swaggering outdoor yarn features Richard Boone in another one of his aw-shucks, embarrassed-to-be-up-here performances playing a former Confederate Major-turned-Apache hunter who is recruited by Texas Calvary to find the mercenary Confederate Colonel who is selling stolen government guns to the Apaches. Locales and violent action both serviceable, even if the camera-work is continually unsure and the editing sloppy. Boone barks orders convincingly enough, yet he's almost charming when acting sheepish (a response which really suits him). Tony Franciosa tries out his Latino accent as a Mexican cutthroat along for the journey, while Jim Brown shows off his incredible physique and Stuart Whitman looks pained throughout. No surprises here (except for the quick entrance and exit of an infant), and the final showdown is pure formula--a dull one. *1/2 from ****