scttwortman

The only reason I have not given this movie a "10" is that I might find something wrong with it on subsequent viewings. If anybody knows of this film being available widescreen, unedited, and not bootlegged, let me know where. My high definition TV does not forgive picture flaws. Otherwise I will be patient for a remaster. As someone who is an amateur historian of the Indian wars, I can tell you this is the most accurate dramatization of the campaign against the Apaches ever filmed. Accurate history is presented in the fact that the Apaches were the dominant tribe of the southwest {the Comanches in Texas might have been their rival}. Ask the Puebloes, who actually welcomed the white man, as a buffer against the Apache. The Apache dominated the southwest long before the Spanish ever showed up. Their spiritual philosophy of "taking a man's power" was shared by other warlike Indian tribes all the way to the east coast {see "Last of the Mohicans", Mann's version}. The film manages to also be great western drama as well as a history lesson.There is no moral judgment, only the way it was. The cast is superb.Lancaster, Davidson, The Hispanic Indian actors. Richard Jaeckel, and Karl Swenson {two workhorse character actors, who turned in performances of a lifetime}. All these guys plus director Aldrich and the writers knew they were working on something special. Even the PC edited version is worth seeing. A great Cavalry/Indian western, maybe the best!

Am I one of the few people who notices that Ridley Scott is trying to do loose remakes of Anthony Mann's Historical epics? Granted, Kingdom of Heaven is set in the holy land instead of eleventh century Spain,but this is basically a lovingly done update of Mann's EL CID; right down to a new age take on Chuck Heston's "purest knight of all" {a quote from both films}, who wanted the Moors{Islamists} and Christians to just get along. After "Gladiator" basically borrowed the plot of "Fall of the Roman Empire" right down to a Gladiatorial face off between Commodus and The Republican General,what's next? Is Scott going to re-shoot Winchester 73{Mann's classic western}. Don't get me wrong. I loved Kingdom of heaven {outside of unbelievable secular humanism spouted by medieval characters}. Also, how did a blacksmith get to be such a siege engineer. Outside of that, I loved this film.

I have two nieces{years old and 9}; straight A students. I am a PHD in history; successful in my career, happily married with two successful kids. I am still a geek at heart. This week I had to baby sit two nieces who have seen LORD OF THE RINGS and SPIDERMAN{good flicks}. I insisted they watch '7TH VOYAGE' with me. It's my house! They were gabbing through the credits TILL the wizard showed up. Who needs the Green Gargoyle when you have Torin Thatcher! When the cyclops roared in, they were hooked, or should I say, petrified. The 9 year old buried her head in a sofa cushion {first rate endorsement if there ever was one!} I knew I had them! The 11 year old blurted out:"cool!" I prefer surreal, or magical. CGI IS an improvement on many levels. Harryhausen never could have made the trilogy.But after seeing the CGI drenched TV 'JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS', I am sure something is missing from today's more "realistic" special effects. Two very bright little girl will testify:"it's the magic!"