A DISTANT TRUMPET __
US, 1964, 116 minutes, Colour.
Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette, James Gregory, Diane Mc Bain, William Reynolds, Claude Akins, Kent Smith, Judson Pratt. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
A Distant Trumpet is a spectacular '60s western in the John Ford vein. However, rather than showing the glamour of the cavalry and its spirit, Raoul Walsh's movie shows something of this but is also critical. It is also a star vehicle for Troy Donahue, the young popular star of so many '60s films like A Summer Place, Susan Slade. He is not particularly persuasive as a western hero, more persuasive as a strict officer rather than as a 19th century romantic lead. He is decidedly 20th century. Suzanne Pleshette is full of vitality as the heroine. There is a good supporting performance from James Gregory as the General and Claude Akins appears as a dubious trader. The film has spectacular Arizona locations, a stirring score - and a familiar look at cavalry and the relationship with the Indians.
1. Interesting and enjoyable western? Traditional? The perspective of the '60s on the cavalry, relationship between black and red, the attitudes towards the Indians? Towards relationships?
2. Spectacular locations? Colour photography? Action sequences? Score?
3. The title and Kitty's explanation of the trumpeter? The routine of the military life? A symbol of the American West?
4. The focus on Matt Hazard? The credibility of Troy Donahue in the central role? His mission, travelling to Arizona, clashes with the sergeant? Attraction towards Kitty? His sense of discipline, mission?
5. Training of the men? Relationship to officers? The clash with the sergeant and the fight with White Cloud? His support of the Indians? His antagonism towards Jones and the women coming? Firing the cannon? His going on missions, rescuing Kitty? The branding of the deserting soldier? Laura's arrival, mixed emotions? The raid and the taking of the horses? The court martial and the General's cover-up? The build-up towards the wedding? His not marrying Laura?, Relationship with Kitty? Achieving the Medal of Honor?
6. Kitty, the military background, her father and his honours, death? Her husband and his absences? Isolated on the outpost? Attracted towards Matt? Her clashes with Laura? The death of her husband? The finale with Matt? The salute of the military?
7. The General and his control, the court martial with Jones, his plan, his loyalty to the Indians, trust? His education, training at West Point, lecturing, quotations? His strategies? The battles? The return to Washington? Power with the President? The honour for Matt?
8. The officers, the lax outpost, Prescott and his arrival, his wife? The loneliness of the outpost? The second-in-charge? The men and their slackness, the women coming to the outpost? Hazard drilling them? On mission, deserting? Punishments? The spirit of cavalry?
9. Laura, her military connections, attraction towards Matt, surprising him, the jealousy of Kitty, her wilfulness?
10. The picturing of the Indians, the Apaches, the rebels, Mexico? White Cloud and his clash with the General, becoming a scout? His being despised by the men? The fight? His skill? Leading the troops towards the Indians? The Indian raids? Reservations? Treaties with the whites?
11. The traditional themes of the western: the frontier, law and order, the Indians, the cavalry and its spirit, men and women in isolated outposts? American heritage?
