The Undefeated (1969)

This is the story of 2 groups of Americans shortly after the end of the Civil War(War Between the States). One group consists of ex-Union soldiers, under the leadership of ex-Col. John Henry Thomas(John Wayne), who are driving 3000 mustangs south to supply Emperor Maximilian's need for horses, in his fight against the Juarista rebels. Simultaneously, a group of ex-Confederate soldiers, under the leadership of ex-Col. James Langdon(Rock Hudson), of Louisiana, have abandoned what is left of their homes, and, masquerading as a bunch of refugees, travel past Union occupation forces, on the way to protection by Maximilian officials at Durango. Neither group will succeed in its mission. They were fool's errands. Their fates gradually become intertwined, as they traveled toward Durango, taking separate, but parallel, trails. There is some initial animosity between the rank and file of each, exasperated by Langdon's policy of having his ex-soldiers dress up in their uniforms, and flying the Confederate flag while camping! Regardless, the overall theme of the film clearly is that former Unionists and separatists need to reestablish their identities as unified Americans. We see this in the occasional cooperative ventures of the 2 groups, as in fighting off the bandits, the joint July 4 celebration, and, most importantly, in Thomas's ransoming of Langdon's group after they were captured by some rebels, and sentenced to be executed, unless Thomas's 3000 horses were brought to Gen. Rojas by noon the next day. There is also the civil rights-related statement in the hurried romance of Langdon's daughter: Charlotte(Melissa Newman) with Thomas's adopted son: Blue Boy(Roman Gabriel): a full-blooded Cherokee - very unlikely back when this story is set. ...... The director was Andrew McLaglin, who had previously directed the John Wayne comedic western: "McClintock". While comedy is a less important feature of the present film, we can see the probable influence of the big comedic brawl in "McClintock" on the big comedic brawl between Langdon's and Thomas's groups. Other comedic bits are scattered. For example, Langdon's shoving of the carpetbagger, who wanted to buy his plantation for a pittance, back into his carriage, upside down........After their initial meeting, the relationship between Langdon and Thomas is remarkably cordial for such recent enemies: part of the theme of reconciliation. Some reviewers wish they had more animosity toward each other, for excitement, but that would conflict with the theme. Of course, the much criticized bland finale, where the 2 groups are mingled in their retreat to the Rio Grande, is the final statement of sectional reconciliation. It ignores the financial disaster for both groups of their undertakings, and the question of how they are going to get back on their feet financially. By the way, Langdon seemed broke before his group started. How was his expedition financed?.......Shooting took place in a number of areas in Sonora and Durango provinces. The occasional shot of hundreds of horses, packed close together, flowing over the uneven landscape, is a sight to behold.

The story of two remarkable men whose deeply flawed world views were irrevocably changed for the better makes for an very interesting theme. To set this theme against the backdrop of both the War of Secession ("War Between the States") AND the Mexican Revolution makes "The Undefeated" all the more promising. Furthermore, parallels to Vietnam make "The Undefeated" a downright profound story. Sadly, Andrew V. McLaglen tepid direction and bland casting of the female characters makes "The Undefeated" an unfulfilled promise and so-so effort.To understand the profundity of "The Undefeated" requires a crash course in the War of Secession. Though slavery was a major issue, it was NOT the primary cause of hostilities. Revolutionary War debt was coming due and many states that remained with the union had not paid their debts. However, states that joined the Confederacy HAD paid their debt and resented draconian tariffs on goods entering and leaving their harbors. Secession was recognized and accepted, as it is a basic part of the Declaration of Independence and of the Congressional Record at the time of the enactment of the US Constitution. Even Lincoln, as a member of Congress, recognized the right of secession. For those who still insist the war was about slavery, keep in mind four slave states remained in the union.It is time now to discuss the flawed world views of both union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). Thomas is a decent, kind hearted man, but his world view is quite callous. Thomas thinks nothing of taking his loyal men into strife-torn Mexico, even though he knows they may be killed and that none of them has seen home for four years. Langdon is also decent and kind hearted, but his vanity leads him to destroy his property and take his family into Mexico to fight alongside General Maximilian, who is doing to the citizens of Mexico what the Union did to the Confederacy. BOTH men receive a deserved comeuppance from Juarista General Rojas (Tony Aguilar). I am sure this would be lost on most American audiences even today even in the hands of a more skilled western director, such as John Ford, Howard Hawks, Sergio Leone, Anthony Mann, Budd Boetticher, Fred Zinnemann or even Henry Hathaway.The finest performances in "The Undefeated" come from Rock Hudson and Roman Gabriel. Unfortunately, their same-sex antics drew publicity which clearly eclipsed the movie. Other fine performances include the aforementioned Tony Aguilar (whose reluctance and relief at a key moment is the best scene of the film), Merlin Olsen (as a wise man who prefers the company of children to adults), Royal Dano (who reveals the true theme of "The Undefeated") and Big John Hamilton (who proves one does not have to fight a war or appear unafraid to be a hero).Hugo Montenegro, who had a top 40 hit channeling Ennio Morricone with "The Theme From 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly') here channels Elmer Bernstein with his music. While not "great Bernstein," Montenegro's score is at least "good Bernstein".I give "The Undefeated" a "6".

After the Civil War, ex-Union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) is leading his horses to be sold to the Mexican government. In the meanwhile, ex-Confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson) is leading a rag-tag group of southerners who are going south to escape the Yankee mob. Both groups decide to join up as they fight off bandits and revolutionaries.This is a southerners wet dream. The southern forces are noble, honorable, and full of hospitality. They are fighting off arrogant Yankee carpetbaggers with their uppity blacks. Meanwhile their slaves are obedient, quietly waiting for the future as the master gives a family heirloom to an old slave.This is through and through an old fashion western where men are men. They have a good old fight after a good stiff drink. There is an impressive herd of horses. If you're willing to live with the hokey story, then this is definitely watchable.

John Wayne plays a Union Colonel who takes his remaining troopers, after the war ends, on a search for wild horses to sell to the U.S. Army. The Army buyers are scum and the horses are then on their way to the French forces in Mexico fighting for Maximilian. On the way they run into a southern wagon train lead by Rock Hudson. Wayne's cowboys rescue the wagon train when it comes under attack by Mexican outlaws. The Rebel wagon train is finally in Mexico where they are suppose to join the French forces. It turns out they are captured by the Mexican rebels. The rebels threaten to kill the rebel's including women and children unless Wayne gives them the horses. Mexican ethics are still showing up today. Wayne leaves it up to his men about the horses and they decide to give the horses up. The only thing I did not like about this movie was the fact that the Mexicans get away with it. Most John Wayne movies end with the good guys at least coming out ahead.