Absolutely Fantastic

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This is the story of 2 groups of Americans shortly after the end of the Civil War(War Between the States). One group consists of ex-Union soldiers, under the leadership of ex-Col. John Henry Thomas(John Wayne), who are driving 3000 mustangs south to supply Emperor Maximilian's need for horses, in his fight against the Juarista rebels. Simultaneously, a group of ex-Confederate soldiers, under the leadership of ex-Col. James Langdon(Rock Hudson), of Louisiana, have abandoned what is left of their homes, and, masquerading as a bunch of refugees, travel past Union occupation forces, on the way to protection by Maximilian officials at Durango. Neither group will succeed in its mission. They were fool's errands. Their fates gradually become intertwined, as they traveled toward Durango, taking separate, but parallel, trails. There is some initial animosity between the rank and file of each, exasperated by Langdon's policy of having his ex-soldiers dress up in their uniforms, and flying the Confederate flag while camping! Regardless, the overall theme of the film clearly is that former Unionists and separatists need to reestablish their identities as unified Americans. We see this in the occasional cooperative ventures of the 2 groups, as in fighting off the bandits, the joint July 4 celebration, and, most importantly, in Thomas's ransoming of Langdon's group after they were captured by some rebels, and sentenced to be executed, unless Thomas's 3000 horses were brought to Gen. Rojas by noon the next day. There is also the civil rights-related statement in the hurried romance of Langdon's daughter: Charlotte(Melissa Newman) with Thomas's adopted son: Blue Boy(Roman Gabriel): a full-blooded Cherokee - very unlikely back when this story is set. ...... The director was Andrew McLaglin, who had previously directed the John Wayne comedic western: "McClintock". While comedy is a less important feature of the present film, we can see the probable influence of the big comedic brawl in "McClintock" on the big comedic brawl between Langdon's and Thomas's groups. Other comedic bits are scattered. For example, Langdon's shoving of the carpetbagger, who wanted to buy his plantation for a pittance, back into his carriage, upside down........After their initial meeting, the relationship between Langdon and Thomas is remarkably cordial for such recent enemies: part of the theme of reconciliation. Some reviewers wish they had more animosity toward each other, for excitement, but that would conflict with the theme. Of course, the much criticized bland finale, where the 2 groups are mingled in their retreat to the Rio Grande, is the final statement of sectional reconciliation. It ignores the financial disaster for both groups of their undertakings, and the question of how they are going to get back on their feet financially. By the way, Langdon seemed broke before his group started. How was his expedition financed?.......Shooting took place in a number of areas in Sonora and Durango provinces. The occasional shot of hundreds of horses, packed close together, flowing over the uneven landscape, is a sight to behold.

If you want an easygoing movie that employs likable actors to pleasing effect, you may wind up accepting "The Undefeated" for what it is. But if you are like me and want a story that keeps your attention and moves you to a satisfying conclusion, this makes for a tough sell.At the end of the American Civil War, a Union and Confederate colonel separately lead their people into Mexico. The Yank, John Henry Thomas (John Wayne), is bringing 3,000 horses to the Emperor Maximilian at $35 a head. The Rebel, James Langdon (Rock Hudson), is escaping the ignominy of surrender.Mexico, alas, is in the throes of a bloody revolution. If they are to survive, they must set aside their differences and work together.As John Henry explains it: "We got Maximilian on one hand and Juárez on the other, and bandits in between. And on top of that, we're Americans in Mexico taking a cavvy of horses to a very unpopular government. Why should we expect trouble?" A product of that last great year for Westerns, 1969, "The Undefeated" has amazingly crisp and dynamic cinematography. William H. Clothier knew about shooting horses and horizons, and showcases both talents to majestic effect. The dialogue is often funny. But the film itself offers a hodge-podge of undernourished subplots, sweet talk, and sudden bursts of action that never gels.Director Andrew V. McLaglen liked to cram his films with lots of different stories and people. Sometimes, like with his Wayne movie the next year, "Chisum," it worked. Here it doesn't.There's a listless quality to the crux of the movie, John Henry and Langdon working together. Hudson's character is introduced as headstrong ("I got no taste losin' to a lot of Yankee rabble") but seems too easygoing with his former foe. Much time is wasted on a gormless romantic subplot involving Langdon's daughter and John Henry's adopted Cherokee son. Ben Johnson as John Henry's chief buddy has little to do but shrug and make wisecracks. The cast list includes John Agar and Richard Mulligan, but there's only a brief glimpse of the former and no sign of the latter in the finished film. McLaglen must have bit off more than he could chew in post- production.Wayne is perfectly adequate, settling into the role of senior presence rather than a major player. McLaglen has fun setting up Duke's gruff charm and understated reactions, but as Oscar material, he hardly posed a threat to that year's winner, John Wayne in "True Grit."Goofy subplots include surly cook Dub Taylor, whose main bit of business is telling everyone but his faithful tabby to go to hell; and a Rebel civilian no one will talk to because he didn't serve in the war. So why did he join them on this dangerous journey? It's never explained, but you hardly notice when nothing else is.SPOILER ALERT - The ending is a strange one, where John Henry and Langdon turn on Maximilian after Juárez's people take the Southerners hostage. To spare their being massacred John Henry gives up the horses and rides home. Perhaps he realizes the Juáristas despite being ungentlemanly have a point, it being their land, but it's never explained: "You win one, you lose one," John Henry shrugs, and that's that. SPOILER ENDThere are fun scenes in the movie, and everything is beautiful to look at, so I won't carp too much at all the loose ends. My real beef is wishing McLaglen, a solid pro in other efforts, did more with his cast and opportunities here.

The story of two remarkable men whose deeply flawed world views were irrevocably changed for the better makes for an very interesting theme. To set this theme against the backdrop of both the War of Secession ("War Between the States") AND the Mexican Revolution makes "The Undefeated" all the more promising. Furthermore, parallels to Vietnam make "The Undefeated" a downright profound story. Sadly, Andrew V. McLaglen tepid direction and bland casting of the female characters makes "The Undefeated" an unfulfilled promise and so-so effort.To understand the profundity of "The Undefeated" requires a crash course in the War of Secession. Though slavery was a major issue, it was NOT the primary cause of hostilities. Revolutionary War debt was coming due and many states that remained with the union had not paid their debts. However, states that joined the Confederacy HAD paid their debt and resented draconian tariffs on goods entering and leaving their harbors. Secession was recognized and accepted, as it is a basic part of the Declaration of Independence and of the Congressional Record at the time of the enactment of the US Constitution. Even Lincoln, as a member of Congress, recognized the right of secession. For those who still insist the war was about slavery, keep in mind four slave states remained in the union.It is time now to discuss the flawed world views of both union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). Thomas is a decent, kind hearted man, but his world view is quite callous. Thomas thinks nothing of taking his loyal men into strife-torn Mexico, even though he knows they may be killed and that none of them has seen home for four years. Langdon is also decent and kind hearted, but his vanity leads him to destroy his property and take his family into Mexico to fight alongside General Maximilian, who is doing to the citizens of Mexico what the Union did to the Confederacy. BOTH men receive a deserved comeuppance from Juarista General Rojas (Tony Aguilar). I am sure this would be lost on most American audiences even today even in the hands of a more skilled western director, such as John Ford, Howard Hawks, Sergio Leone, Anthony Mann, Budd Boetticher, Fred Zinnemann or even Henry Hathaway.The finest performances in "The Undefeated" come from Rock Hudson and Roman Gabriel. Unfortunately, their same-sex antics drew publicity which clearly eclipsed the movie. Other fine performances include the aforementioned Tony Aguilar (whose reluctance and relief at a key moment is the best scene of the film), Merlin Olsen (as a wise man who prefers the company of children to adults), Royal Dano (who reveals the true theme of "The Undefeated") and Big John Hamilton (who proves one does not have to fight a war or appear unafraid to be a hero).Hugo Montenegro, who had a top 40 hit channeling Ennio Morricone with "The Theme From 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly') here channels Elmer Bernstein with his music. While not "great Bernstein," Montenegro's score is at least "good Bernstein".I give "The Undefeated" a "6".

This moving western has Yankee colonel Henry Thomas joining forces with Confederate official named Langdon, during the post-Civil War and in Mexican territory . Wayne tries to sell wild horses to the French military in Mexico and Hudson leading a wagon train to Durango . Both colonels battling it out side by side across miles of adventure. They are fighting off arrogant Yankee carpetbaggers with their uppity blacks. Meanwhile their slaves are obedient, quietly waiting for the future as the master gives a family heirloom to an old slave. The two hours pass quickly, and it's a film to make you think (about the nature of war against your fellow countrymen, about loyalty, friendship and heroism).