Military movies of the early 40s all tended to share the same elements: two soldiers, contrasting personality types, who squabble over the same woman, but learn how to be good soldiers; the stern officer in charge learns to appreciate his troops; there's a battle at the end where heroism is proved.
It's a formula for a reason, offering chances for conflict, colour, comedy and all that - indeed, it was re-used in Top Gun. Here the girl is Maureen O'Hara, always likeable, never as effective in black and white (unfortunately the case here); the male stars are George Montgomery, 20th Century Fox's Clarke Gable imitator (an engaging actor) and wet drip John Sutton. You wish for John Payne or Henry Fonda or someone instead of Sutton.
Montgomery isn't entirely happily cast as a backwoodsman from Kentucky. Sutton is more comfortable as a rich kid, though he is a drip. O'Hara is at home in these sort of parts - a laughed at the opening sequence where she goes around kissing soldiers for the sake of West Point. You hussy, Maureen!
There is a strong support cast, including Laird Cregar (not the first actor you think of to play a military officer but he has an imposing presence), Ward Bond (always good as a sergeant type) and Henry Davenport. Some of these have decent roles to sink their teeth into - such as Cregar, as an officer who doesn't believe in West Point.
Its set in the 1800s, a period we don't see that often in Hollywood films - the era of funny hats, and random Indian battles. This one ends fighting Tecumseh and his men - though there's no mention of the War of 1812, which is technically when this took place. (Probably was a bit uncomfortable during World War Two to draw attention to the fact that really it was the US fighting the British).
It's very corny, but there are things that work: Sutton discovering his patriotism, the nephew of Benedict Arnold redeeming the family honour. The romance between Montgomery and O'Hara feels undercooked - I didn't like how he rejected her, then she tagged along anyway (it felt like a scene inserted after the first preview). The final action sequence is well done.
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