An army doctor, with no combat experience, is forced to take command of a cavalry troop escorting a wagon train through hostile Indian country when the unit's commanding officer dies.An army doctor, with no combat experience, is forced to take command of a cavalry troop escorting a wagon train through hostile Indian country when the unit's commanding officer dies.An army doctor, with no combat experience, is forced to take command of a cavalry troop escorting a wagon train through hostile Indian country when the unit's commanding officer dies.
Robert Nichols
- 2nd Lt. O'Hirons
- (as Bob Nichols)
Carl Andre
- Trooper
- (uncredited)
Emile Avery
- Outrider
- (uncredited)
Jim Bannon
- Infantryman
- (uncredited)
Gregg Barton
- Capt. Forsythe
- (uncredited)
George Bell
- Webb
- (uncredited)
John Beradino
- Sergeant Major
- (uncredited)
Richard Boyer
- Infantry Sergeant
- (uncredited)
Larry Chance
- Indian Brave
- (uncredited)
Mack Chandler
- Infantry Lieutenant
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThere's a scene where Indians are attacking the wagons full of soldiers and one Indian gets shot off his horse, then is run over by a wagon drawn by four horses (at about 1 hour, 19 minutes). That wasn't a planned stunt--he was supposed to be "shot" and fall off the side of his horse, but the horse unexpectedly reared back and dumped him into the path of the wagon, which ran over him. He suffered numerous broken bones and ribs, but the scene was left in.
- GoofsIn 1876 the single-shot Springfield Model 45-70 1873 rifle was the standard US Army infantry rifle, as identified by Captain MacClaw when he picks up an abandoned one. The cavalry used a single-shot carbine version of the Springfield 1873. Yet the final battle sequences show both the infantry and the cavalry troopers exclusively using Winchester or Henry style lever action repeating rifles, even though these weapons were never Army issue.
- Quotes
Sgt. Elliott: Never say an injun is dumb. He just waits for the chance to use his one good cavalry tactic: ring around and close in.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Lucky Me (1954)
Featured review
Surprisingly fun western
This surprisingly fun western stars Guy Madison as a Doctor Robert MacClaw who finds himself in charge of his cavalry troup as a result of his commanding officer's dying order. Needless to say, the men aren't thrilled, but he wins them over with his unorthodox, yet effective, tactics against the bands of hostile Indians who stand between them and safety. Along the way his command grows to include a wagon train of settlers and two units of inexperienced infantry. Naturally, there's a romantic subplot involving one of the settlers, and a breakout of smallpox that calls upon his medical skills. The romance seems tepid and formulaic, but MacClaw's relationship with his senior officer, Sgt Elliott, is believable and strong. Despite a disturbingly high body count of Indians, the good doctor doesn't show much remorse about the slaughter. Ironically, he seems much more worried that they'll be decimated by smallpox contracted from the wagon train. Don't look for any kind of message here, however, it's just good clean fun (if you can overlook the dead Indians), with an exciting high-speed wagon chase at the end!
helpful•84
- KimB-3
- Feb 25, 1999
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,500,000
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
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