Watch A Distant Trumpet

A Distant Trumpet is a 1964 Western movie directed by Raoul Walsh, starring Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette, and Diane McBain. The movie explores the events surrounding the American military conquest of the American Southwest in the 19th century. The story revolves around a young officer, Lt. Matthew Hazard, portrayed by Troy Donahue, who is assigned to join the cavalry stationed in Fort Delivery, Arizona. Upon his arrival, Hazard discovers that the commander of the fort, Major Stedman, played by William Reynolds, is his former mentor from the West Point Military Academy.

As Hazard adjusts to his new surroundings, he becomes attracted to the beautiful Laura, played by Suzanne Pleshette, who is engaged to be married to another officer in the fort, Captain Colt, portrayed by Claude Akins. Hazard's affection for Laura complicates his relationship with Captain Colt and sets the stage for further tensions and conflicts.

Meanwhile, tensions are also brewing between the Apache Indians and the US Army. The Apache leader, Santos, played by Michael Ansara, is determined to resist the US Army's efforts to relocate his tribe to a reservation. The tension between the Apache and the Army gives rise to several battles, with both sides suffering casualties.

As Lt. Hazard tries to navigate his romantic relationships and navigate the tense environment of the fort, he is also tasked with leading a dangerous mission to scout the Apache Tribe's location. Despite the odds against him, he sets out on this mission, which ultimately leads to a surprising revelation.

A Distant Trumpet is a well-made Western movie that explores themes of duty, loyalty, and honor. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the setting and the costumes are beautifully done, creating a sense of authenticity.

The performances are also noteworthy, with Troy Donahue leading the way with his portrayal of Lt. Hazard. Donahue proves to be a capable actor, delivering a performance that is both emotional and believable. Suzanne Pleshette also shines as Laura, delivering a nuanced performance that adds depth to her character.

The action scenes are well-choreographed, with the battle scenes especially notable for their realism. The film's pacing is also well-done, with the tension building gradually throughout the movie until reaching its climax.

Despite its age, A Distant Trumpet remains an entertaining and engaging Western movie. Its themes are timeless and relevant, and its performances and action scenes hold up well even after all these years. If you're a fan of Western movies, or simply looking for an engaging story with well-developed characters, A Distant Trumpet is a movie worth checking out.

A Distant Trumpet is a 1964 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.