The Undefeated

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen (McLintock!), this post-civil war drama deftly balances the experiences that soldiers on both sides had acclimating to life once the fighting stopped. From the North, we have Col. John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) a successful campaigner who refuses to re-enlist once the South surrenders, opting instead to round up wild horses and sell them to the highest bidder. From the South we have Col. James Langdon (Rock Hudson) a defeated leader trying to get what’s left of his men and their families across the Mexican border before the bill for reparation is forced upon them. The film bounces back and forth from the two groups in interesting ways, leading to the predictable moment when The Duke and Rock meet, fight and, before all is said and done, join forces to battle some really bad hombres. It’s epic.