Two Flags West (1950) on Netflix
Confederate troopers imprisoned at Rock Island in 1864 are promised freedom if they garrison a Union post in New Mexico. Their commander, Clay Tucker, accepts and leads them to Fort Thorn.
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- Netflix3.4/5
- IMDb6.7/101,357 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
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Plot summary
In the autumn of 1864, the survivors of a Georgia cavalry regiment are wasting away at Rock Island, Illinois, in a Union prison camp. Union captain Mark Bradford offers them freedom if they enlist and garrison a frontier post that is short of men and open to Indian attack. Many refuse. The men vote, but the last soldier dies before he can cast his, leaving a deadlock, and their commander, Clay Tucker, breaks it by agreeing. The troop rides to Fort Thorn, New Mexico, a small 3rd Cavalry outpost under the stern Major Henry Kenniston, left with a limp by a war wound. Kenniston's widowed sister-in-law, Elena, has been stranded at the post for months. At dinner with the major's guests, Tucker is irritated by their patronizing comments, and friction grows between the Northern and Southern soldiers.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Two Flags West (1950)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The film drew on the real service of "Galvanized Yankees", including Union Capt. Henry Palmer and Company K of the 11th Ohio Cavalry, who moved from Camp Chase, Ohio to Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie in 1864; they were the only former Confederate cavalrymen, originally of Morgan's Raiders, to serve as Galvanized Yankees on the Western frontier.
- Buildings of San Ildefonso Pueblo, some as old as 400 years, stood in for Fort Thorn; the local Tewa Indians let director Robert Wise film there after he promised filming would stay clear of the tribal kiva, cemetery and sacred shrines.
- Fox first intended the role of Lt. Clay Tucker for either Victor Mature or Richard Basehart, but Joseph Cotten was cast at the last minute, loaned to Fox by Selznick International Pictures.
- The major's role was meant for Lee J. Cobb, who had refused to appear in Where the Sidewalk Ends and owed Fox a film; Jeff Chandler replaced him after signing a six-film studio contract following Broken Arrow, and commuted from Hollywood because of radio commitments.
