40 Guns to Apache Pass
| 40 Guns to Apache Pass | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster |
|
| Directed by | William Witney |
| Produced by | Grant Whytock |
| Written by | Willard W. Willingham Mary Willingham |
| Starring | Audie Murphy Kenneth Tobey |
| Music by | Richard LaSalle |
| Cinematography | Jaques R. Marquette |
| Editing by | Grant Whytock |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 1, 1967 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
40 Guns to Apache Pass is a 1967 Western film directed by William Witney and starring Audie Murphy. It was Murphy's last starring film and the final film of Robert E. Kent Productions.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Arizona Territory 1868: The Apaches, led by Cochise (Michael Keep), are on the warpath. Army Captain Bruce Coburn (Audie Murphy) is tasked with escorting homesteaders to Apache Wells where they can concentrate their defence against the Apache. But there is dissention in the ranks as some of the men under Coburn’s command feel they are being driven too hard. Coburn has to discipline corporal Bodine (Kenneth Tobey) for stealing rationed water. In an attack at Apache Wells, one of the homesteaders, Harry Malone (Kenneth MacDonald), is killed. His two sons, Mike (Michael Blodgett) and Doug (Michael Burns), then join the Army.
In order to defend themselves at Apache Wells, they need guns. Coburn is sent to bring in a consignment of repeating rifles that is on its way, or least prevent them getting into the hands of the Apache. En route, Coburn and his men are attacked. The inexperienced Malone brothers are left to guard the horses, but Mike disobeys orders and goes off to fight the Indians. He is last seen alive screaming for his brother's help, but Doug is a coward who lets his brother die.
The survivors of the patrol manage to rendezvous with the consignment of guns. On the way back to Apache Wells, Bodine and four other soldiers decide to take the guns and desert to Mexico, leaving Coburn and the wounded First Sergant Walker (Robert Brubaker) tied up. In a moment of indecision, Doug throws his lot in with Bodine.
Coburn and Walker manage to make it back to Apache Wells. He wants to go back and retrieve the rifles, but the commander says he cannot spare any men and orders Coburn to stay. He disobeys and sets off after Bodine. Meanwhile, Bodine has decided to try to sell the rifles to Cochise. Under a flag of truce, Bodine meets Cochise and takes him to where the rifles are hidden. But Coburn, with the help of Doug, has killed the other deserters and taken the rifles. Cochise and Bodine pursue and catch up with Coburn. In a delaying tactic, Coburn fights off a number of Apache while Doug gets the rifles back to Apache Wells. With the rifles, Doug leads a column of soldiers to rescue Coburn and arrive just as he runs out of ammunition. The Apache are chased off and in a final shootout, Coburn kills Bodine.
[edit] Production
The film was written by Audie Murphy's friend Willard W. Willingham and his wife. Willingham had appeared in many of Murphy's films (playing Trooper Fuller in this one) as a stand in, stuntman and occasional actor as well as writing several of his films.[2] It was filmed in 1966 in Red Rock Canyon State Park (California) and Lancaster, California.
[edit] Cast
- Audie Murphy - Capt. Bruce Coburn - Coburn is the main protagonist of the film. Coburn is a tough and, at times, brutal commander who pushes his men too hard at times unintentionally. He has a romance with Mike and Doug's older sister. He kills Bodine when he tries to escape in the films final fight.
- Michael Burns - Doug Malone - Doug is the most cowardly of him and his brother, Mike. He deserts to keep himself away from his sister, whom he did not want to face after letting Mike die. He aids Coburn when he comes after the rifles and gets them back to Apache Wells. He later leads a company to Coburn's rescue.
- Kenneth Tobey - Cpl. Bodine - Bodine is the main antagonist of the film. He hates being in the Yankee army and leads a mutiny against Coburn convincing all other remaining soldiers except Walker to desert. He tries to sell the guns to Cochise but fails. In the end he was killed by Coburn in a final confrontation.
- Laraine Stephens - Ellen Malone - A member of Doug's family at Apache Wells.
- Robert Brubaker - Sgt. Walker - A loyal friend to Coburn who was shot when the other soldiers deserted. He and Coburn survive and make it back to Apache Wells.
- Michael Blodgett - Mike Malone - Doug's older brother who disobeys orders and is killed by the Apache when his little brother won't help him.
- Michael Keep - Cochise - Cochise is a major antagonist of the film. He is the leader of the Apache causing all the trouble. He tries to buy the rifles from Bodine, but Coburn gets to them first. He later is held off by Coburn while Doug gets the guns back to Apache Wells. He is overpowered by the reinforcement soldiers and retreats.
- Kay Stewart - Kay Malone - Anothers of Doug's last living relatives at Apache Wells.
- Kenneth MacDonald - Harry Malone - Doug and Mike father who is killed in the beginning of the film.
- Byron Morrow - Col. Homer E. Reed - The commanding officer at Apache Wells who sends Coburn for the rifles and confines him to camp when he fails. He later sends Doug to his aid when he brings the rifles to Apache Wells.
- Ted Gehring - Trooper Barratt - One of the troops who deserts and is later killed by Doug and Coburn.
- Willard W. Willingham - Trooper Fuller - One of the troops who deserts and is later killed by Doug and Coburn.
- James Beck - Trooper Higgins - One the troops who deserts and is later killed by Doug and Coburn.
