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The Undefeated

The Undefeated

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Duke and the Rock Finally Together!
Review: If you're a fan of either one of these late cinematic giants, you won't be disappointed by viewing this flick. Both Wayne and Hudson were quite versatile actors, but their roles in Westerns appear to be their most memorable. There's a fine supporting cast in this film which includes the two well-known former National Football League stars Roman Gabriel and Merlin Olsen making their acting debuts. Although the plot of this movie may not be historically accurate, the average fan of western films will find this feature entertaining. A western starring the Duke would not be complete without an elaborate donnybrook; the one in this picture doesn't disappoint. Overall, this film is worth a look-see.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Former foes become allies
Review: In this film Wayne, as former Union Colonel John Henry Thomas, and Hudson, as former Confederate Colonel James Langdon, re-enact on a small scale the slow and painful psychological healing and reunion of the divided nation following the Civil War. Thomas and the remnants of his unit (including the ever-delightful Ben Johnson as Short Grub and Roman Gabriel somewhat less than sterling as Thomas's Cherokee adopted son, Blue Boy) return to the West to hunt wild horses for a living, while Langdon and his, unwilling to submit to the indignities of Yankee occupation and carpetbagger rule, burn their homes, pack up their families, and head for Mexico, where they hope to join the French Interventionists (a plan historically followed, though without the noncombatants, by General Jo Shelby). Somewhere in Northern Mexico the two groups meet, and after some mutual suspicion become uneasy allies to beat off a gang of bandidos. When Langdon's company unwittingly blunders into a trap set by the Juaristas, Thomas and his men agree to surrender their catch of horses as ransom. Much of the charm of the film arises from the head-butting of the two veteran commanders (particularly the sequence in which Hudson utters his memorable line, "If I can find the *time* I'm gonna siddown and write the social history of Bourbon!"), which is, of course, echoed by their men (most notably the quiet rivalry of Short Grub and Robert Donner as Judd Mailer). Yet Blue Boy is early attracted to Langdon's daughter (despite the presence of her long-time suitor, Jan-Michael Vincent as Bubba Wilkes), and even Thomas finds a kindred spirit in his rival's widowed sister-in-law. A good movie about the aftermath of war and the healing of wounds.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Duke and the Rock Finally Together!
Review: Of course, I'm a John Wayne fan, so I probably can't be terribly objective about this movie. Obviously, there are serious holes in the story (a Confederate colonel will let his daughter ride off with a Cherokee????? Nahhhhhhh). What is often overlooked is the marvelous score by Hugo Montenegro. This is one of the great western soundtracks, just a step behind the all time greats (The Big Country and The Magnificent Seven). If you're into western soundtracks, you probably already have seen this movie, but if not, don't miss the marvelous work done with the trombone sections.

The movie is entertaining, and with a great deal of humor. Actually, this is probably one of Rock Hudson's better roles ( I can't bear him in those fluffy Doris Day comedies) in that his comedic talents are allowed to shine without being ridiculous. Loved Roman Gabriel as a football player.....but as an actor...well, um, noooooo.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Often overlooked is the GREAT MUSIC
Review: Of course, I'm a John Wayne fan, so I probably can't be terribly objective about this movie. Obviously, there are serious holes in the story (a Confederate colonel will let his daughter ride off with a Cherokee????? Nahhhhhhh). What is often overlooked is the marvelous score by Hugo Montenegro. This is one of the great western soundtracks, just a step behind the all time greats (The Big Country and The Magnificent Seven). If you're into western soundtracks, you probably already have seen this movie, but if not, don't miss the marvelous work done with the trombone sections.

The movie is entertaining, and with a great deal of humor. Actually, this is probably one of Rock Hudson's better roles ( I can't bear him in those fluffy Doris Day comedies) in that his comedic talents are allowed to shine without being ridiculous. Loved Roman Gabriel as a football player.....but as an actor...well, um, noooooo.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What do you mean "corrupt mexican general"?
Review: the movie is a good one for anyone who likes John Wayne movies, for any non U.S. Citizen who knows anything about the history of the United States it has a certain melancholy pathos that has to do with the tragedy that was the War between the states, only i would like to disagree with the synopsis, both colonels go to Mexico to serve the interests of the French who were at the time trying to conquer Mexico, the so called "corrupt mexican general" was in the service of Juarez who was the rightful president, and the "corrupt" general just happens to fool both Gringo colonels into figthing the French and giving him the horses, I do not think the "Duke" would have accepted such a review since he was allways a friend of Mexico.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent post Civil War western
Review: The Undefeated is an excellent western that teams John Wayne and Rock Hudson together for the first time. Set in the months after the Civil War, the story follows two groups as they venture into Mexico. One group led by Wayne's Colonel John Henry Thomas is driving 3,000 horses south to deliver to the forces of the French emperor, Maximillian. The other group is a wagon train of Confederate soldiers and their families who are moving to Mexico City under Maximillian's rule. Along the way, the two groups meet up and battle bandits, Juaristas, and even themselves. The action scenes are very well put together, especially the 4th of July fistfight and the bandit attack on the wagon train.

John Wayne and Rock Hudson are great as two rival leaders, one Union and one Confederate, who must work together if they are to survive in Mexico. Their relationship has several funny moments as they discuss their involvement during the war. The Duke's crew includes Ben Johnson as Short Grub, Dub Taylor as Mr. McCartney, Roman Gabriel as Blue Boy, and several other Duke regulars. The rest of the impressive cast includes Tony Aguilar, Bruce Cabot, Merlin Olsen, Edward Faulkner, Harry Carey JR, Marian McCargo, Lee Meriwether, Melissa Newman, and Big John Hamilton. It was great to see this on DVD which offers widescreen presentation, several theatrical trailers including The Comancheros and North to Alaska as well as two in Spanish and Portuguese. In the trailer, look for a scene of Blue Boy's fellow riders capturing Rock Hudson as he rides to Wayne's camp that did not make it to the final copy. This is an excellent post Civil War western that all Duke fans will love! Do not miss!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent post Civil War western
Review: The Undefeated is an excellent western that teams John Wayne and Rock Hudson together for the first time. Set in the months after the Civil War, the story follows two groups as they venture into Mexico. One group led by Wayne's Colonel John Henry Thomas is driving 3,000 horses south to deliver to the forces of the French emperor, Maximillian. The other group is a wagon train of Confederate soldiers and their families who are moving to Mexico City under Maximillian's rule. Along the way, the two groups meet up and battle bandits, Juaristas, and even themselves. The action scenes are very well put together, especially the 4th of July fistfight and the bandit attack on the wagon train.

John Wayne and Rock Hudson are great as two rival leaders, one Union and one Confederate, who must work together if they are to survive in Mexico. Their relationship has several funny moments as they discuss their involvement during the war. The Duke's crew includes Ben Johnson as Short Grub, Dub Taylor as Mr. McCartney, Roman Gabriel as Blue Boy, and several other Duke regulars. The rest of the impressive cast includes Tony Aguilar, Bruce Cabot, Merlin Olsen, Edward Faulkner, Harry Carey JR, Marian McCargo, Lee Meriwether, Melissa Newman, and Big John Hamilton. It was great to see this on DVD which offers widescreen presentation, several theatrical trailers including The Comancheros and North to Alaska as well as two in Spanish and Portuguese. In the trailer, look for a scene of Blue Boy's fellow riders capturing Rock Hudson as he rides to Wayne's camp that did not make it to the final copy. This is an excellent post Civil War western that all Duke fans will love! Do not miss!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This should be included in your J.W. film collection.
Review: This film takes place in a post Civil War setting, where every character finds it difficult to accept the terms of the end of that war. A band of Southern Confederates would rather live/work in Mexico than under the influence of Yankees and Carpetbaggers. The friendship between the Yankee horse trader (Wayne) and the Confererate leader (Hudson) leads to entertaining encounters, and life & death decisions when the Mexican revolution takes everyone by surprise. This movie is representative of John Wayne's later works, and is a keeper. But be warned, I think all of J. Wayne's films are keepers, and as such, my opinion is biased.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This should be included in your J.W. film collection.
Review: This film takes place in a post Civil War setting, where every character finds it difficult to accept the terms of the end of that war. A band of Southern Confederates would rather live/work in Mexico than under the influence of Yankees and Carpetbaggers. The friendship between the Yankee horse trader (Wayne) and the Confererate leader (Hudson) leads to entertaining encounters, and life & death decisions when the Mexican revolution takes everyone by surprise. This movie is representative of John Wayne's later works, and is a keeper. But be warned, I think all of J. Wayne's films are keepers, and as such, my opinion is biased.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great movie
Review: This movie has action and even a little bit of romance. If nothing else see this one for the wonderful Indian warrior "Blue Boy". AND of cause see this one because the Indians for ones in Western history is NOT the bad guys. This time it is the Mexicans who gets it but I guess you can`t win `em all.


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