The Glory Guys

The Glory Guys is directed by Arnold Laven and written by Sam Peckinpah who adapts from the Hoffman Birney novel, The Dice of God. It stars Tom Tryon, Harve Presnell, Senta Berger, James Caan, Andrew Duggan, Slim Pickens and Michael Anderson Jr. It's shot in Panavision with colour by Deluxe, with James Wong Howe the photographer, and music is scored by Riz Ortolani.

The Glory Guys are young recruits to the 3rd Regiment of the United States Cavalry, film follows them as they live and love thru their initial training and onwards to impending war with the Indians. They be at the mercy of a warmongering general, their passions and fate, cruel avoidable fate.

It's one of those War Westerns that cried out for some quality actors to tell the tale. For the story is a great one, no doubt inspired by the Custer legend from Battle of Little Big Horn, the scenery (Durango, Mexico) is first rate and the score is suitably perky and rousing: with the title song tremendous in its power. There's even some terrific action, especially for the major battle in the last quarter, where the use of 100's of extras provides excitement as the bloody carnage convincingly unfolds. But getting to that last third in the company of wooden lead actors is not that easy to do, Pickens, Duggan and Caan aside (tho Caan's Irish accent fluctuates), the principal actors are unable to put real urgency into the drama. Laven's pacing is questionable too, but the director comes out in credit because his final flourish, the battle construction, really is worth the wait. But one can't help wondering what Peckinpah in his pomp could have done with his own script.

A very mixed bag when put under scrutiny, but with a glorious and potent final third bringing it to closure, The Glory Guys is safely recommended to fans of the Custer legend, and indeed, fans of film's like Major Dundee & Fort Apache. 6.5/10

Although producer Arnold Laven got the directorial credit he did this film along the lines laid out by Sam Peckinpah who wrote the script and started directing the film. The usual 'creative differences' were the official reason given for Peckinpah leaving the film, but more than likely it had something to do with Sam's undisciplined nature.

The Glory Guys is a wonderful cavalry western with a plot borrowed partially from Fort Apache and part from the story in the Bible about David, Bathsheba, and Uriah the Hittite. Uriah in this case is Captain Tom Tryon and not because of jealousy, but because of his lust for glory and medals, General Andrew Duggan has decided that a troop of raw recruits is to be the Judas Goat led to the slaughter, a troop which Tryon commands and has a month to whip in some kind of shape so they can have a fighting chance against the Sioux.

Fort Apache itself is a southwestern version of the Custer and the Little Big Horn story and The Glory Guys takes much of its tone about the camaraderie of the soldiers from those Ford westerns. The characters you see played by Slim Pickens, Michael Anderson, Jr., and James Caan could easily have been found at and in Fort Apache.

Romance is a rough thing at this army post as Tryon and scout Harve Presnell have a nice rivalry going for Senta Berger. But when it comes to the business of the cavalry, these two bury the hatchet lest an Sioux hatchet be buried in them.

Without the presence of some big box office stars The Glory Guys tends to get overlooked. But if you see it broadcast, don't you overlook it.

GLORY GUYS is a beautifully photographed Cavalry Western. The Story reminds a lot on John Ford's "Fort Apache". Like in John Fords Masterpiece Glory Guys retells the battle on Little Big Horn but with fictional names and changed locations. Like in Fort Apache the audience see the life in the Fort and the training of the young soldiers. All the Military Aspects and the battle at the end are really a joy to watch. There is another TV- Soap storyline too in that movie. A Woman named Lou Woddard played by the gorgeous Austrian Actress Senta Berger has a love liaison with two men: a Captain Demas Harrod (Tom Tyron) and the scout Sol Rogers (Harve Persnell). Lou Woddard is a very attractive and self confident woman and it's no wonder that two hard guys are fighting for her. Next to this Soap plot line there are some comedy elements with the young recruits. As one of the young soldiers we see a young and good James Caan. So before the battle starts you see a lightweight movie. The battle itself is really amazing and I have to say one of the best Indians against Cavalry Battles ever seen. The Movie is wonderful photographed by James Wong Howe and the Music Score by Riz Ortolani is good too. James Wong Howe was also the photographer for Hud, The Old Man and the See, Funny Lady and many others. Italian Composer Riz Ortolani is still a very active composer mostly for European Productions. Not to forget the realistic looking design and equipment. The Movie is very beautiful and a joy to watch.

The Scriptwriter is by nobody else than Sam Peckinpah after the novel of Hoffman Birney and he did some directing too but was replaced later by Arnold Laven. So he is not credited as Director. No wonder this movie has some similarities to Major Dundee. Maybe because of the change of the Director GLORY GUYS have some flaws in the directing style. Next to the training of the recruits and the Love Story there is another Plot line in Glory Guys too: Capt. Harrod has a troubled past with his commanding officer General McCabe. McCabe should represent General Custer and as in the real Battle of Little Big Horn McCabe is making a some mistakes. Andrew Duggan is doing a good job as McCabe but his role is underused in this Movie. IMO the story should have focused more on the McCabe/ Harrod relation and the Military Aspects as on the Love Story.

GLORY GUYS is a beautiful and very rare movie. It reminded me a lot on the John Ford Cavalry Western and all the other older Cavalry Movies like "They died with their boots on". Because this Movie includes Aspects of War many would believe in a connection to the Vietnam War. I'm not sure about it and wouldn't say Glory Guys wants to make a statement about it. The Indians are like invisible but very scary enemies. The Soldiers and Officers are just following Orders even if these orders are stupid and would cause their deaths. I liked that they tried to show that even in that period how Soldiers are trying to survive in such a conflict. If you see this movie somewhere screening try to watch it.

Great acting and based on the Custer debacle. Peckinpah does a great job with little blood and gore but great scenes of combat. I note that a viewer says he saw additional scenes so let me comment on that; I saw the movie at the drive-in my first time and the version currently on video from MGM/UA is complete. TV versions cut out one specific scene for extra commercials, the entire scene where the troop leaves the fort with no weapons and suffers a simulated Indian attack, with Duggan nearly strangling one acting Indian (about 12-15 min.)The only thing missing is the widescreen version as the video is P&S. I also saw the movie in France, dubbed in French in widescreen and the many off-screen elements show that this movie needs a WS release. Of note is the historical accuracy of the weapons and uniforms. WIDESCREEN please!

From the original script of director Sam Peckinpah, who first penned this rousing western tale of Calvary vs Indians arises this movie called " The Glory Guys ". Contrary to other films of the genre, this film allows the Native Americas to win an occasional battle. But other credits supplement it as well. The beautiful outdoors, the exciting bar-room brawl and the spacious land conflict called for by a good script. Within the story of myopic Gen. Frederick McCabe (Andrew Duggan) who seeks a glorious victory over the southwestern tribes at any price, is an inner one dealing with two men Capt. Demas Harrod (Tom Tyron) and Chief of Scouts Sol Rogers, (Harve Presnell) who love the same lovely woman named Louisa Woddard (Senta Berger). Although rivals, they bear a mutual respect for each other. Demas is an experienced officer carrying a bitter grudge against General McCabe who sacrifices his men without compunction. His main concern are his raw recruits who he feels deserve better than to be sacrificial fodder for the general. Rogers seeks to settle down, marry and become a farmer. Slim Pickens plays Sgt. James Gregory and rightly garners much praise for his convincing, steadfast role. James Caan and an equally young Wayne Rogers are impressive and complementary characters in the movie. Their fine acting and the film's dramatic action makes for excellent viewing. The musical score is patriotically stirring and further enhances the movie. Recommended for all interested viewers***