User Reviews

This episode has the stupidest excuse for trained troops (outside of the funny comedy "F Troop") I've seen in a long time, and that's saying a lot in the context of the "The High Chaparral" series, which usually did depict, rightly or wrongly, the U.S. cavalry as meatheads led by even dumber officer martinets. The High Chaparral ranch, having captured chief Sangre, is besieged by Apache attack and Manolito (Henry Darrow) sneaks out through their lines disguised as a brave to get help from an army encampment some miles away. He succeeds too well in his disguise for the comfort of the army camp, who start firing on him as soon as they see him -- and don't let up even when he beckons and calls out to them in English. The officer ignores the warnings of his sergeant (Charles Maxwell, wasted as always) and despatches him with a squad of five men to chase this Apache who is trying to pow-wow. Mano gives in and plays along, leading the headless troops on towards the ranch. Before long the squad has grown to a full troop of around 20 men, all firing (through their own bunch) at this lone "Apache" for mile after mile of unknown terrain, regardless of what body of the enemy might be awaiting them and wasting their ammunition like there's no tomorrow. They finally reach the ranch, save the day, and explain to Big John Cannon (Leif Erickson) that they believe Mano is Sangre, who is still safely trussed up in the ranch house. Not a good example of this the fourth and final series, which often featured Buck Cannon (Cameron Mitchell) to good advantage, improved in grit and characterisation after a poor penultimate series which too often dipped in quality to accommodate Blue Cannon's growing pains, becoming unbelievable as actor Mark Slade turned 30.