Unconquered (DVD, 2007, Universal Cinema Classics)

Unconquered is an epic tale of romance, greed & revenge set on the backdrop of America between the French & Indian wars & our war for Independance. It tells the tale adventurer Chris Holden (Gary Cooper) who, while on a voyage back to America from Britain, runs afoul of unscrupulous profiteer Martin Garth (Howard De Silva) over indentured servant/bond slave Abby Hale (Paulette Goddard). Garth's treachery knows no bounds as we are repeatedly given healthy doses of seedy dealings throughout the film. Holden is driven to the western frontier, which in this time period is the Ohio/Pennsylvania border, after a brief breakup with his fiance, to help with a rising Indian problem. Holden is more of a hero for our time as he is more calculating & brutal than most heroes of that era. A pleasant surprise from what is typically served to movies goers of that time. Throughout Holden's adventures, we are treated to many familiar faces. From always entertaining Ward Bond, to Boris Karloff playing Indian Chief Gayasuta, to long time character actors De Silva (a familiar face who you probably would never remember his name) & Mike Mazurki (Ditto), to a very young Lloyd Bridges. For that matter, all the characters from the most often encountered to bit players are all well thought out & presented. As is to be expected from an epic of this time, there are alot of painted backdrops & in studio shots, but there are plenty outdoor vistas as well. The action & adventure is so continuous that we hardly notice. Unlike today's films, we are spared much of the "brutality" of this dangerous time. Most of it's horrors are implied & left to our imagination instead of thrust upon us with the gore of todays offerings. Much happens throughout this film, but it all leads back to the conflict between Holden & Garth that we encountered right at the start. Director Cecil B. DeMille treats us to one of his most most spectacular, but rarely known epic sagas! This is one not to be missed! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well done period pieces! This is truely a rare gem!