Made on the cheap, and with very dull and cardboard looking sets to prove, "Only the Valiant" still manages to hold its own, much like the sqaud of soldiers led by Gregory Peck on a suicide mission to hold off hundreds of Indians until relief arrives. Peck reportedly hated this film and only made it due to contract commitments. He's as dull as ever here but this time such a tepid performance gives him credit as it suits his character, the captain hated by the raggedy group of troop handpicked for this suicide mission due to their undesirable natures: the drunk, the yellow, the sick and the mad! Look out for Lon Chaney Jr in a strange performance as an Armenian soldier (very weird and random). The rocky pass where the Indians are coming through looks like it was made of foam and in a studio lot. But there is still a good few shots of the large band of Indians setting up to attack, and the black and white cinematography and lightning works particularly well during the night battle scenes. Overall, this isn't half bad, and worth a watch.
Review of Only the Valiant
