The Undefeated (1969)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(6,074 ratings)

This routine western finds Union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and company attacking Confederate soldiers lead by Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). After a crushing defeat, Langdon torches his plantation rather than have it fall into enemy hands. A group of Southerners accept the… More This routine western finds Union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and company attacking Confederate soldiers lead by Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). After a crushing defeat, Langdon torches his plantation rather than have it fall into enemy hands. A group of Southerners accept the invitation of Emperor Maximilian to join them, and Langdon heads off with a wagon train of settlers to a new land. Thomas with his adopted Indian son Blue Boy (Roman Gabriel) bring a herd of 3,000 horses across the Rio Grand for sale. The two factions meet at a Fourth of July party and relive the war through a drunken brawl. When Mexican General Rojas (Tony Aguilar) holds the Southerners hostage, Thomas orders the herd to stampede into the General's camp as ransom payment for their former enemies. Merlin Olsen plays the blacksmith Little George. Both Gabriel and Olsen were pro-football all-stars for the Los Angeles Rams. Olsen continued his acting and sports announcing after his gridiron days were over. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Andrew V. McLaglen
Written By: James Lee Barrett
Genres: Western, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
John Wayne/Rock Hudson Civil War western has some good moments.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Full of cliches, this tired Western is one of Wayne's weakest films, made in the same year he appeared in the Oscar-winning True Grit.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Theme of reconciliation between North and South is well-realized.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

A bit of benign escapism released in the United States at a time when the country was embroiled in divisive anti-war demonstrations and a tumultuous civil rights movement. McLaglen's epic western is entertaining but noticeably conciliatory and rather unimaginative.
Conner R

Not perfect, but it's a really decent and enjoyable movie. You're seeing it for The Duke most likely, therefore you should know exactly what you're getting into. It's a very interesting story about the reconstruction and the spoils of war. There's some nice… More
Not perfect, but it's a really decent and enjoyable movie. You're seeing it for The Duke most likely, therefore you should know exactly what you're getting into. It's a very interesting story about the reconstruction and the spoils of war. There's some nice sequences and it's a very original type of western/war movie that I don't think comes along very often.
Dean M

Well performed by John Wayne and Rock Hudson in this western aftermath of the Civil War. Featuring an excellent supporting cast and tremendous scenes of sprawling action.
Jeffrey M

An enjoyable Western with a unique premise. If you're seeing it for The Duke, you won't be disappointed, and prepare to be surprised by Rock Hudson.
Barry L

Brilliant.

Cast

            John Wayne as Col. John Henry Thomas

            Rock Hudson as Col. James Langdon

            Antonio Aguilar as Gen. Rojas

            Roman Gabriel as Blue Boy

            Marian McCargo as Ann

            Lee Meriwether as Margaret

            Merlin Olsen as Big George

            Melissa Newman as Charlotte

            Bruce Cabot as Jeff Newby

            Ben Johnson as Short Grub

            Edward Faulkner as Anderson

            Harry Carey Jr. as Webster

            Royal Dano as Maj.Sanders

            Richard Mulligan as Dan Morse

            Carlos Rivas as diaz

            Guy Raymond as Giles

            Don Collier as Goodyear

            Big John Hamilton as Mudlow

            Dub Taylor as McCartney

            Henry Beckman as Thad Benedict

            Victor Junco as Maj. Tapia

            Robert Donner as Judd Mailer

            Pedro Armendariz Jr. as Escalante

            Rudy Diaz as Sanchez

            James Dobson as Jamison

            Richard Angarola as Petain

            James McEachin as Jimmy Collins

            Gregg Palmer as Parker

            Juan García as Col. Gomez

            Kiel Martin as Union Runner

            Bob Gravage as Joe Hicks

            John Agar as Christian

            Paul Fix as Gen. Joe Masters

            Chuck Roberson as Yankee Officer

            Michael Vincent as Bubba Wilkes

            Jan-Michael Vincent
            
See full cast