The Charge at Feather River

A group of reprobates are rounded up and sent into Cheyenne territory to rescue two white women in this marvellous western that anticipates the plot of The Searchers (also a Warner Bros picture featuring Vera Miles) in many ways. Unfortunately, it is seriously marred by the miscasting of handsome Guy Madison in the lead, a role that was intended for Gary Cooper. It was originally shown in 3D, which explains why objects keep crashing towards the camera, notably the Cheyenne lances in the charge and the tobacco juice spat into the audience by rugged Frank Lovejoy to keep a rattlesnake at bay! Even without its gimmick, this is a well-written and well-directed movie.