Every four weeks on Playhouse 90 they would do an all film version - Errol Flynn was in one, Without Incident. This is a little similar to that - it feels like it was written to be a cheaper Western rather than a glossy Playhouse 90, though it's got a tough subject: the Massacre at Sand Creek. Edward Everett Sloan is the Colonel Chivington character, here not called that. It changes from the lead facts - the lead officer is motivated more by ambition, less by racism. We hear about things rather than seeing them (soldiers scalping, wearing ears, shooting innocents). Still, it's quite strong.
John Derek is a decent man, a lieutenant, who winds up blamed for the whole thing somehow. Derek has a few heroic things to do - win a brawl, flash a blade, die heroically - but is basically weak and passive. Which suits Derek's persona - he gave off a sense of weakness.
Gene Evans is good as a sergeant.
It's not that well written, and is unable to shake a B Hollywood Western vibe, but is of interest.
Arthur Hiller directed this.
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