Lawrence Tierney, who plays Gen. Philip Sheridan, was a rebel rouser who caused so much trouble that the Spanish authorities wanted to extradite him. Siodmak convinced them to let him stay so he could finish his scenes.
I'm surprised it was Tierney who caused trouble and not Shaw, a noted carouser. I'm sure Shaw (sure Shaw?) was in there somewhere.
I thought the film was a good bit better than is usually made out. And the ending is great. As for the music, I started a thread on it some years ago ("Custer of the West--delightfully whacky?")which received very favourable replies. I think this one would be a goer if coupled with another (possibly western) short score.
The actor, Robert Shaw, was only 51 years of age when he died in 1978. At the time I was quite surprised and thought it quite unfair for an actor of his quality to leave us so soon.
I'm surprised it was Tierney who caused trouble and not Shaw, a noted carouser. I'm sure Shaw (sure Shaw?) was in there somewhere.
Shaw was a lamb compared to Tierney, who wrecked his career through drinking and violence. On IMDB one of his "trade marks" is "Known for being immensely difficult and intimidating to those he worked with".
As late as 1989, he intimidated the cast & crew of Seinfeld when he was carrying a knife with him during shooting.
There is a particularly poignant and beautiful piano theme. And the end title where the chief rides through the massacred bodies and rides off is something else.
Yes, it is a lovely tune, "When Will Love Rule the World", later given lyrics by Earl Shuman and recorded on a 45-rpm single.
