Director Robert Wise’s first picture after leaving RKO — where he’d edited Citizen Kane (1941) and directed Blood On The Moon (1948), among many other wonderful things — was Two Flags West (1950) for 20th Century-Fox.
It was written by Frank S. Nugent, who did Fort Apache and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (both 1948) for John Ford, and who would later write The Searchers (1956) and Gunman’s Walk (1958). The Confederate prisoners fighting Indians plotline was based on something Nugent came across while researching Yellow Ribbon. It was originally announced with Victor Mature as the star.
Someone brought this picture up the other day, and I wanted to give it a little attention. It sure deserves it. It also deserves a DVD release.
TWO FLAGS WEST despite a powerhouse cast,big budget and the
fact that the film looks great;it still fails to deliver! For anyone interested
the version released in Spain recently is a mighty fine looking transfer.
Fox do not have a MOD series so the possibility of a domestic release
is very unlikely.Apart from being flabby the film is deadly dull at times!
Pity Mature did not appear in the film;he might have livened it up somewhat!
It was on TCM a year or so ago and that is where I watched it. So, that is one thought for those who cannot otherwise get a copy. Send a request in on TCM website to show it.