This movie is little known, but that is no reason not to diligently seek it out. Only the Valiant is a movie with few equals, combining some of the best features of film noir with those of the western and, more specifically, the cavalry genre.

Gregory Peck stars as Captain Richard Lance, a troop commander at Fort Winston in the New Mexico Territory. The army has built a forward outpost named Fort Invincible to guard the only pass through the impenetrable Flintstone Mountains. Beyond the mountains lie the warlike Apache Indians who break out, massacre the garrison, and burn Fort Invincible. Lance and his troop arrive just as the Apaches are withdrawing. By sheer luck, they capture the war chief of the Apaches, Tucsos (Michael Ansara). Scout Joe Harmony (Jeff Corey) advises Lance to kill Tucsos on the spot but Lance, a stickler for the book, opts instead to take him back to Fort Winston for a fair trial followed by a legal hanging.

When they arrive back at the fort, the bedridden colonel confides in Lance that they do not have sufficient troops to withstand an Indian attack and that he should have killed Tucsos rather than bringing him in. The colonel orders Lance to assemble a detail to escort Tucsos to a larger post where he can be properly dealt with. Lance assigns himself but when the colonel gets wind of it he calls him on the carpet, telling him to assign Lieutenant Holloway (Gig Young) instead. Just by chance, Lance had just seen Holloway kissing a girl they were both interested in and everybody gets the idea that Lance withdrew from the expedition and assigned Holloway for spite. Of course, the party never makes it and only a handful return. Holloway has been killed and Tucsos has escaped. Of course, everybody misunderstands Lance’s motives. Lance, the strong silent type, doesn’t bother to explain…

Now Fort Winston is almost certain to be attacked by overwhelming odds, but Lance suggests that he and a small party of men could hold Fort Invincible and keep the Apaches bottled up about three days, long enough until a 400-strong relief column arrives. The colonel agrees and allows Lance to choose his own detail. Instead of choosing the best men available, Lance chooses a handful of drunkards, malcontents, psychopaths, deserters, and cowards - the worst the outpost has to offer. The one common denominator is that all the men know Lance from prior service and have reasons for wanting him dead. From this point on, the movie shifts into overdrive and will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering how the small detail is going to survive that three long days.

Remember, I told you this movie was a gem. Why does it work so well and set itself apart from the typical Western? One reason is the direction: Director Gordon Douglas built suspense into every frame by filming a tight visual story and illustrating it with compact scenes filmed in stark black and white. The tale takes place mainly at night and the contrast between the blackness of the night and the stark white of the lonely fort and surrounding mountains create an unbearable tension as the Indians suddenly appear out of nowhere time and time again. The photography by Lionel Lindon and film editing is riveting - not a frame is wasted. Every moment is used to drive the story forward toward its unexpected climax.

Another reason is the exemplary acting. Gregory Peck was not yet an icon and would portray unsympathetic characters like Captain Lance with uncommon skill. Peck turned in similarly excellent performances as Captain Ahab (Moby Dick) and Jimmy Ringo (The Gunfighter) during this phase of his career. But there is more. The supporting cast is a virtual who’s who of the best character actors in the business. Neville Brand, Ward Bond, Jeff Corey, and Lon Chaney, Jr. make up the bulk of the speaking roles, with several unknowns who do equally as well in their roles. Each actor’s performance is dead on and gripping. I would suggest that this might be Ward Bond’s finest performance and believe me he had many to choose from.

Another reason is the story, from a novel by Charles Marquis Warren, very complex and unusual for a Western, with quite a few unexpected twists and turns and intelligent treatment of the Apaches as a primal force, almost like the sea or the weather.
Finally, the Franz Waxman score, while a little heavy at times, complements the action and connects the whole into a memorable viewing experience.

Only the Valiant has a place of honor in my video collection and I hope I have convinced you to seek it out and see for yourself. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

For those who like this movie may I also suggest She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, My Darling Clementine, The Searchers, Winchester ’73, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening