I saw the file Major Dundee for the first time on Turner Classic Movies today. I’d wanted to see it for some time, and was disappointed. As one reviewer pointed out, after the deserter is shot the movie loses continuity. It seems the USA would have been at war with France, although I understand that the United States did not recognize Emperor Maximillian’s government.
French lancers go down before Confederate Cavalry as Storm Troopers before Hans Solo and a Wookie.
Nice having the Bugler shoot the head bad guy, though. 
IIRC, even Heston admitted, in his autobio, “In The Arena,” that the film was not as good as most people remember it to be.
Sir Rhosis
Although, keeping in mind that Charlton Heston couldn’t tell a good movie from a gerbil, you should take that with a grain of salt. The weakest thing about Major Dundee is Charlton Heston; the highest peak of Heston’s accomplishments as an actor is Major Dundee. Do the math.
Not at all – he’s at his best in “Will Penny,” imo. But as this is not about Heston, per se…
Sir Rhosis
Will Penny is his best that I’ve seen. Also has Ben Johnson in it, if I recall.
