The Undefeated

After the Civil War ends, Union colonel John Thomas musters out and drives three thousand horses toward Mexico to sell. On the same road are Confederate colonel James Langdon and his party, who have burned their own house and are emigrating. The two men fought on opposite sides; neither has a country behind him any more, and the trail forces them into each other's company. The film is less interested in peace than in what you do after defeat. Langdon's party is not loot but a homeless community, and the story pushes the Union hero into responsibility for that crowd. Andrew V. McLaglen directed. John Wayne plays Thomas, Rock Hudson plays Langdon, and the Mexican singer and actor Antonio Aguilar is also in the cast. Two footballers appear as well. Roman Gabriel, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback, and the defensive lineman Merlin Olsen were both still playing in 1969 when this was shot. Olsen later moved into television acting. Wayne fell when his saddle slipped during filming and hurt his shoulder, taking two weeks off before returning to the set. Part of the picture was shot in Durango, Mexico. Who it is for: anyone who likes late John Wayne westerns and cattle-drive structure. Who it is not for: anyone wanting tension. The film arranges its reconciliation too easily and slows badly through the middle.