Duel at Diablo (1966)

Although not a classic cavalry western, Duel at Diablo is pretty decent and shows some of the signs of bringing that "feel" to a more cynical 60s approach. The film can either be viewed as sympathetic towards the Apaches, or equally cynical towards everyone - they're shown to have their reasons for their warlike attitude, but they're also shown to be brutal with their treatment of prisoners.

The story deals with a cavalry patrol carying supplies between two forts, while trying to prevent an Apache uprising, eventually ending up ambushed and pinned down in a canyon while awaiting their hopeful rescue. Both of the main characters seem well played, with James Garner as a scout who has some side-plot in trying to avenge the death of his indian wife (I've seem some criticism elsewhere that she's left essentially detail-less, and that's probably fair) and Sidney Poiter playing a former cavalry officer turned horse-trader and gambler who's unwilling brought along on the expedition but ends up having to take command. His introduction to the story seems slightly contrived though. The subplot about a lady kidnapped by the Apaches who wants to return to be with her son and avoid the stigma she faces in American society seems slightly superfluous, but works well enough.

The scenery looks suitably harsh and desolate. Some of the actions scenes are filmed in a way that makes them slightly harder to follow than they might be, without seeming deliberately so for effect.

The DVD I have is labelled as being in "Westerns The Classic Collection", but I assume is identical to the UK DVD. Although it says 4:3, it seems to be anamophic 16:9 (contrary to some complains about the US DVD). The picture quality is fuzzy in places, shows some print damage, wobbles in others and some red/green tints elsewhere. There's also noticable edge enhancement, especially with people against blue skies. It's still the right side of watchable though.

See link: http://moviemorlocks.com/2012/11/08/ralph-andersons-duel-at-diablo-1966/ (makes the point that the racism is this film is all between whites and indians rather than towards Sidney Poiter's black cavalryman)